Multi-functional and modular tree removal and maintenance apparatus and related methods

ABSTRACT

A lifting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a primary body that has a support for supporting a person, and a secondary body. A releasable coupling provides selective coupling between the primary and secondary bodies. The lifting apparatus has (a) a first condition in which the primary body is coupled to the secondary body, and (b) a second condition in which the primary body is not coupled to the secondary body, and is configured to be releasably coupled to a vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of, and claims the filing datebenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/608,837, entitledMULTI-FUNCTIONAL AND MODULAR TREE REMOVAL AND MAINTENANCE APPARATUS ANDRELATED METHODS, filed Sep. 10, 2012, which application is aContinuation of, and claims the filing date benefit of, InternationalApplication Number PCT/US2011/028110, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ANDMODULAR TREE REMOVAL AND MAINTENANCE APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS,filed Mar. 11, 2011, which International Application claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/312,704 entitled APPARATUS ANDMETHOD FOR HANDLING WOOD PRODUCTS, filed Mar. 11, 2010, and to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/312,707, entitled LIFTING APPARATUSAND RELATED METHODS, filed Mar. 11, 2010, and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/320,895 entitled TREE REMOVAL MACHINE WITH STUMPGRINDING CAPABILITIES, filed Apr. 5, 2010. This Application also claimsthe filing date benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/532,995, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONAL AND MODULAR TREE REMOVAL ANDMAINTENANCE APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS, filed Sep. 9, 2011. Thecontents of each of these related Applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods forhandling wood products and other fibrous materials, and moreparticularly to apparatus and methods for chipping and grinding woodproducts, such as portions of a tree and the ground or chippedbyproducts thereof. The present invention further generally relates toapparatus for use by urban forestry professionals in the care,maintenance and removal of trees on commercial, institutional andresidential grounds and also generally relates to lifting apparatus and,more particularly, to apparatus that utilize extendable booms.

BACKGROUND

In a variety of residential and commercial activities, it is oftendesirable to remove and dispose of several types of wood products,including branches, bushes, trees, brush, etc. For instance, in aresidential setting it may be necessary to trim or completely remove atree because the tree needs to be pruned, the tree is dead or dying, thetree has been damaged in a storm, or the homeowner simply desires thetree to be removed. Moreover, trees must often be removed in manycommercial activities including power line construction and maintenance,road construction, real estate development, and other forestryapplications.

In such cases, the tree is typically cut down at a point above theground so as to leave a stump portion of the tree in the ground. Theabove-grade portion of the tree (e.g., the trunk, limbs, leaves, etc.)is cut into smaller sections and if not kept for firewood, might bedisposed of through a chipping process. While larger sections of thetrunk might be hauled away or split into firewood, the smaller trunksection and limbs are typically chopped up or chipped and disposed of aschips. To this end, the trunk and limbs are typically manually picked upfrom the ground and fed into a chipping machine or chipper, which reducethe tree portions into small wood chips. The small wood chips may becollected and used for mulch, fuel, and other applications, or maysimply be discarded. Typical wood chippers include an in-feed chute anda cutting assembly having a rotatable disc with at least one knife orblade for chipping the wood fed through the in-feed chute.

In some applications, it is also necessary or desirable to remove thestump portion of the tree that is still in the ground. For instance, inresidential settings, tree stumps detract from the aesthetic value ofthe landscape, interfere with the establishment of replacement trees,present a nuisance to lawn maintenance, and may further present safetyconcerns for children and others. In these cases, it may be necessary toremove the stump from the ground. One method commonly used to removestumps is to use a stump-grinding machine. To this end, the stumpgrinder may be positioned in front of or over the stump and an armextending from the stump grinder base supports a rotating grindingwheel. As the grinding wheel rotates, the arm is swept back and forthlaterally across the stump to grind the stump into relatively smallpieces of wood. The grinding wheel is moved downward toward the grounduntil the remaining stump is located at a desired level below grade.Typical stump grinders include a rotatable disc having a plurality ofhardened teeth that impact the stump at a relatively high rate of speedso as to essentially pulverize or grind the wood material into smallpieces.

Chipping and grinding machines used to dispose of trees are typicallyexpensive to purchase and operate. For example, commercial chippingmachines may be quite large and therefore require a designated truck totow the chipper to the job site. Further, these machines typicallydischarge the chips into a chute with such velocity that it is oftennecessary to direct them into a specialized truck bed on the back of thetow vehicle. The specialized bed is referred to as a chip box andtypically consists of five fully connected and closed sides and apartially, and sometimes fully, open rear side with the opening beingpositioned in an upper portion of the rear side. This configurationeffectively contains the chips discharged by the chipping machine.Consequently, some tree service companies focus on disposing of theabove-grade portion of the tree, such as by using a chipper, whileothers might focus exclusively on removing the stump from the ground,such as with a grinder. As a result, homeowners and others wanting theentire tree removed must plan and schedule separate appointments withtwo different companies, which is inconvenient to the homeowner andfrequently more costly by virtue of involving two companies.

Other tree service companies, however, may provide both services. Tothis end, these tree service companies typically implement the treeremoval through a two-step process. Initially, a first crew of usuallythree or four workers proceeds to the job site where they cut thetree(s) and dispose of the above-grade portion of the tree. The firstcrew typically includes a relatively large truck including thepreviously described chip box and having a chipper hitched thereto forchipping the above-grade tree portions.

After the above-grade portion of the tree is disposed of, a second,separate worker, or in some cases a crew, comes in with separategrinding equipment specifically designed for stump removal. Although onecompany may perform both services, the expense of providing both achipper and grinder are high because different sets of equipment must betransported, operated and maintained. Additionally, in many situations,the stump grinding cannot be scheduled to commence immediately afterremoval of the above grade portion. Reasons for these schedulingdifficulties are numerous, with weather, location, and other jobs beingbut a few examples. Additionally, many types of wheeled stump grindershave difficulty crossing hilly, slippery, or uneven terrain. In thesesituations, it is common to wait until the site appears to be dry beforeattempting to access the site. In any event, these delays cause thecustomer to wait for the job to be completed, which often is a source offrustration to the customer. Moreover, larger tree services may wait toinvoice the entire job, including the above ground removal, until theentire process is complete. This invoicing delay can place burdens onthe tree service's cash flow.

Another undesirable aspect of stump grinding is that the grindings areleft behind by the stump grinding machine. In many cases, the stumpgrinding process results in the grindings being strewn over a fairlylarge area that, in many instances, is much larger than the area coveredby the stump. Frequently, the tree removal service will not remove thegrindings but leave them on the ground for the customer to ultimatelydispose of. In the cases where the tree removal service does remove thegrindings, yet more laborers or mechanized equipment is required to bebrought to the site at still further cost to the customer. Manycustomers are simply not willing to bear this cost and are left with anunsightly pile of grindings which must eventually decompose. In othercases, tree removal companies might not be able to completelycommunicate to customers all the implications of leaving stump grindingsto decompose. For example, the decomposition process affects the acidityof the nearby soil, which can impact the growth of new plants or grass.

Further, tree roots and the trunks contain high concentrations oftannins, which create soil acidity undesirable for certain plants,especially lawn grasses which are commonly planted over an area where atree stump was removed. Given the cost of grinding removal andundesirable aspects of leaving the grindings to decompose, a stumpgrinding machine that could efficiently collect the grinding debriswould be desirable. Because the volume of stump grindings can beconsiderable, and recognizing the need of a truck mounted chip box, itmay be desirable that a machine mounted hopper, which functions tocollect both wood chips and stump grindings, include an emptying systemthat will work effectively with the specialized truck mounted chip box.

Yet another shortcoming of current stump grinders is the swing typemethod of operation. As noted above, these devices consist of a rotatingwheel which is relatively thin in width relative to its diameter. Thegrinding wheel is attached to an arm extending out from the machine baseand the stump is ground by swinging the wheel in arcuate shaped lateralpasses across the stump and increasing the depth of cut until thedesired amount is removed or the grinding wheel has reached the limit ofits vertical travel (e.g., typically around nine inches). This methodresults in inconsistent grinding depth and insufficient surfacecoverage. Additionally, while accepted as the industry standard, thismethod requires considerable operator skill, is time consuming, and isoften imprecise. By way of example, the debris from the grinding processpiles up in the work area making it difficult for the operator to seewhat has been ground and what still remains to be ground. Repositioningthe machine to grind missed spots is common. Moreover, tree species,such as Silver Maples and other species, commonly grow substantialsurface roots, the removal of which can be time consuming and tedioususing the swing-type stump grinder.

Other hardwood trees, such as oak or walnut trees, begin to crown outimmediately below grade, which is evidenced by observation grades risingup as the lower most portion of tree trunk is approached. For example,for a tree trunk with an at-grade diameter of 36 inches, the crowningfrom the trunk to the affected surrounding grade could be several feetwider than the diameter of the trunk itself. When grinding the stump ofsuch a tree with a swing type grinder, it is not practical to level thispeaked area. Consequently, the property is often left with anundesirable hump where the tree stump was removed.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method forhandling wood products, such as trees, bushes, and other fibrousmaterials, that address these and other drawbacks of current apparatusand associated procedures.

In other tree-related activities, a typical tree-removing or maintenanceoperation may consist of removing smaller branches from a tree, followedby removal of larger branches and branches high off the ground. This isthen followed by removal of the tree trunk. The remains of the tree caneither be transported off-site without breaking them apart, or couldinstead be reduced to wood chips at the site itself. If broken into woodchips, these are then carried away, typically in a specialized truck.Moreover, in a conventional tree-removal operation, the remains of thestump must either be dug out or ground up.

Apparatus for chipping wood in such operations are known. Conventionalapparatus, however, are only capable of performing individual tasks.Conventional apparatus are therefore not capable of performing all ofthe functions necessary to remove a tree on the job site. This requiresthe tree removal technician to either haul several pieces of equipmentto the job site or to make repeated trips to a job site with differentpieces of equipment.

Neither of these options, however, is time nor cost efficient. This isso especially in an age when fuel conservation is becoming increasinglyimportant and certain states are levying taxes for each engine poweringvehicles for non highway use, such as those used by urban tree careprofessionals. Many urban tree care organizations currently own some orall of the diverse apparatus commonly used for tree removal andmaintenance.

Machines are known that are capable of performing a number of tree carerelated tasks but these machines cannot perform all of the tasksassociated with tree removal and maintenance in an efficient and safemethodology familiar to the practices of urban tree care professionals.For instance, forestry and right-of-way maintenance machines can removea tree but not necessarily grind the stump or dispose of the chips.Moreover, such machines cannot traverse improved surfaces such as lawnareas, driveways and sidewalks without causing damage.

There is a therefore a need to provide an apparatus capable offunctioning as a wood chipper and also capable of performing additionalfunctions. In particular, there is a need to provide a wood chippingapparatus capable of performing all of the functions necessary to removeand/or maintain a tree on the job site, especially in an urban setting,in a safe and effective manner.

In yet other tree-related activities, in tree maintenance and careservices there is a need to reach branches growing high up on a tree fortheir maintenance and removal. This can be done, for example, by meansof a ladder or by ascending the tree. However, the reach of a ladder canbe limited, and to ascend a tree safely, considerable skill and time arerequired. For this reason, lifting devices have been developed to meetthis need, such as platform lifts, boom lifts or bucket trucks (alsoknown as cherry pickers). A bucket truck's arm segments are configuredin a way that allows them to reach up and over a tree limb, makinglifting devices of this type popular in tree care applications.

Lifting devices, and bucket trucks in particular, are commonly attachedto a truck which, while serving as the lifting device's transportvehicle, also serves as the device's base. Because the transport vehicle(e.g., a truck) is relatively heavy, outriggers and/or electronics areused to prevent the lifting device from tipping over when the boom armis in certain extended positions. Rather than transporting the liftmachinery on a vehicle or through use of a tow vehicle, it can be drivenunder the transport vehicle's power to the work site. Using a truck asthe base for high reach tree care equipment is considered the quickestmeans of transporting. However, trucks are often limited to traveling onpaved surfaces because of their weight and are thus limited to tasksthat can be reached from paved surfaces. This can result in afrustrating limitation as a significant percentage of tree maintenanceand care is for trees not adjacent paved surfaces.

Lifting devices are also known that are self propelled machines and, assuch, are capable of being driven off of paved surfaces. However, thesedevices are relatively large; at least to the extent that they need tobe transported on a trailer or on the back of a flat bed truck. Giventhe dynamics of the tree care industry, use of such devices requiresthat the user (e.g., tree service) bring an additional truck. A typicaltree service uses what is referred to as a chip box truck to pull atowable tree chipper. The discharge end of the tree chipper is proximatethe open end of the chip box truck and the infeed end of the chipper isat the opposite end of the machine so that long and otherwise largelimbs can be stacked up and fed into the chipper.

Simply locating a mobile lifting device anywhere on a trailer would notbe effective. Placing a conventional lifting device on the front of thetrailer would leave the discharge end of a conventional chipper too farfrom the back of the chip box truck, and parts of the lifting device mayobstruct the stream of chips flowing into the chip box. Placing thechipper on the front end of the trailer and the lifting device on theback end of the trailer would require workers to step up onto thetrailer and the chipper while working around the lifting device.Further, manually fed limbs can be 20′ or more in length, thus making itdesirable for the end of the chipper to be positioned so that it faces arelatively large open area often referred to as the staging area.

Within the dynamics of the tree care industry, this practice would bevery inefficient. Further, many sites have space limitations, both withrespect to the site itself and egress. Accordingly, a long trailer wouldbe more impractical in such situations. Therefore, in order to use aself propelled lifting device, the tree service needs to transport it tothe site with a separate vehicle. This requires the tree careprofessional to incur not only the cost of the separate vehicle butpersonnel to drive the vehicle.

Lastly, self propelled lifting devices capable of ascending to heightscomparable to that of bucket trucks carry costs that are far greaterthan the cost of a truck-mounted bucket lift. In fact, the cost of someself propelled lifts exceeds the cost of the entire tree care packagethat a tree care professional would purchase. The package would bedefined as the tree service base truck, the chip collection box, theboom lift and the tree chipper. Given this expense, it is understandablewhy many tree care services find the cost of a self propelled lift veryhigh relative to the cost of other equipment. There is thus a need toprovide a lifting device that can address the drawbacks of the priorart.

A variety of apparatus have been described to address this need, forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,625 to Clements, U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,622to Lindquist, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,124 to Foster, and U.S. Pat. No.7,273,342 to DeSilvio and U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,527 to Luscombe. Each ofthese apparatus extends the reach of a construction or landscapingmachine. However, these devices are limited in their function. Moreover,the technical challenges of creating such a mobile apparatus areextensive. By way of example, a wide variety of fully functionalequipment such as wood chippers, stump grinders, lifting devices must bemounted to a mobile chassis with power capabilities to meet thefunctional expectations, all sized appropriately for traveling roads toreach a job site, and capable of traversing a maintained lawn or otherimproved surfaces without causing damage. To the contrary, devices thatcan easily attach to smaller, more maneuverable machines are either notdesigned to attach to larger machines or do not gain any advantage inreach when attached to larger machines. Other devices that do not fullyintegrate with larger machines must be brought to the site separately.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide apparatus and relatedmethods that address these and other drawbacks of equipment currentlyavailable for maintenance and/or removal of high tree branches.

SUMMARY

An improved apparatus and method for handling wood products, such as thelimb, trunk, and stump of a tree, that addresses the shortcomings ofcurrent wood handling devices includes a frame supported at least inpart by a ground surface and a rotatable first drum carried by the frameand configured to operate with an anvil surface integrated within orcoupled to the frame in a first mode for chipping or grinding loose treeparts, and which in some embodiments is further configured to operate ina second mode for grinding a stump in the ground. The apparatus isconfigured in the second mode so that the first drum is adjacent theground to engage the stump, and configured in the first mode so that thefirst drum is spaced from the ground such that the ground does notobstruct rotation of the first drum.

In one embodiment, the first drum is movable with respect to at leastone of the ground surface or the frame between a first position whereinthe first drum is positioned to cooperate with the anvil surface to chipor grind the loose tree parts, and a second position wherein the firstdrum is positioned adjacent the ground to grind the stump. For example,in one embodiment, the first drum is movable with respect to the frame,and the apparatus includes at least one pivot arm having one endpivotally coupled with the frame and a second end coupled with the firstdrum. In this way, rotation of the pivot arm moves the first drumbetween the first and second positions. In one embodiment, the firstdrum includes at least one blade or carbide teeth adapted to cooperatewith the anvil surface to chip the loose tree parts when in the firstposition. An attachment member may be removably coupled to the firstdrum and include a plurality of teeth configured to grind the stump whenthe first drum is in the second position. The plurality of teeth mayalso be configured to grind loose tree parts when in the first position.When the attachment member is coupled to the first drum, at least aportion of the teeth is positioned radially outward of the at least oneblade. Alternatively, the blades may be removed prior to coupling of theattachment member. In a further alternative embodiment, the first drumincludes a plurality of teeth adapted to grind one of the loose treeparts or the stump when in the first and second positions respectively.An attachment member may be removably coupled to the first drum andinclude at least one blade configured to chip the loose tree parts whenthe first drum is in the first position. When the attachment member iscoupled to the first drum, at least one blade is positioned radiallyoutward of the teeth.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus may include a second rotatabledrum carried by the frame. The first drum may be configured to operatein one of the first or second mode and the second drum may be configuredto operate in the other of the first or second mode. The first andsecond drums may include link mechanisms (e.g., belts or couplings)configured to drive each of the drums directly from an engine.Alternatively, a fluid power transmission system may be used. The firstand second drums may additionally include an engagement mechanismconfigured to allow selective rotation of the first and second drumsusing the engine. Moreover, the apparatus may be configured such thatthe second drum (e.g., slave drum), for example, is driven by the firstdrum (e.g., master drum).

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for handling wood productsincludes a frame supported at least in part by a ground surface, ananvil surface coupled to the frame, and a rotatable drum carried by theframe and movable relative thereto between a first position wherein thedrum is adjacent the anvil surface and configured to chip or grind loosetree parts, and a second position wherein the drum is spaced from theanvil surface and configured to grind a stump in the ground.

A method of handling wood products includes, in one embodiment,providing a rotatable drum configured to operate with an anvil surfacein a first mode for chipping or grinding loose tree parts, and furtherconfigured to operate in a second mode for grinding a stump in theground. The apparatus may be configured to operate in the first mode bypositioning the drum in spaced relation to the ground such that theground does not obstruct rotation of the drum. The apparatus may then beused to chip or grind the loose tree parts. The apparatus may be furtherconfigured to operate in the second mode by positioning the drumadjacent the ground. The apparatus may then be used to grind the stump.The method may further include coupling an attachment member to the drumfor chipping and/or grinding the wood products. Additionally, thechipped or ground wood products may be collected using the movement(e.g., rotation) of the drum. Moreover, the chipped or ground woodproducts may be directed into an outlet chute and delivered into acollection bin to facilitate the handling thereof.

In still a further embodiment, an apparatus for handling wood productsincludes a frame supported at least in part by a ground surface, arotatable drum carried by the frame, and a shroud disposed about therotatable drum. The shroud includes a first configuration wherein theshroud substantially encloses the rotatable drum. The shroud alsoincludes a second configuration wherein at least a portion of the drumis exposed so as to allow processing of the wood products. In oneembodiment, the shroud includes a first shroud portion and at secondshroud portion, wherein at least one of the first and second shroudportions is movable relative to the other so as to move the shroudbetween the first and second configurations. By way of example, in oneexemplary embodiment, the second shroud portion is configured to beretractable over the first shroud portion to thereby expose therotatable drum.

In yet a further embodiment, an apparatus for handling wood productsincludes a frame supported at least in part by a ground surface, arotatable drum carried by the frame, a shroud disposed about therotatable drum, and a discharge chute having a first positionoperatively coupled to the shroud. In this position, processed woodproducts generated by the drum are configured to be transported throughthe discharge chute for further handling. In one embodiment, thedischarge chute includes a bifurcated configuration having at least twooutlets. The discharge chute may include a diverter for divertingprocessed wood products to one of the at least two outlets.

The apparatus may further include a collection hopper. The dischargechute may be configured to discharge processed wood products into thecollection hopper when in the first position. In one embodiment, thedischarge chute may include a second position operatively coupled to thecollection hopper. When so coupled to the collection hopper, processedwood products stored therein are configured to be transported throughthe discharge chute for further handling thereof. In one embodiment, theapparatus may include a mechanism for moving the discharge chute betweenthe first and second positions. Alternatively, the discharge chute maybe moved therebetween through a manual process. An evacuation system maybe associated with the collection hopper for causing the process woodproducts to be transported through the discharge chute. For example, amotor-driven impeller may be in communication with the interior of thecollection hopper for generating a vacuum sufficient to cause themovement of the process wood products held therein to move through thedischarge chute. To facilitate this process, the collection hopper mayinclude a tiltable floor for direction the process wood products towardthe impeller.

While the efficiency and cost savings of a unitary piece of equipmentwill be readily understood by such professionals, the initial cost ofsuch a machine may be more than the cost of any one of conventionalspecialized apparatus. Recognizing that all components of the machinecould result in a cost exceeding the budgets of some purchasers, certainembodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein are designed so thatadditional functionality can be selectively added to the apparatus toaccommodate a tree care organization's changing needs and budgets.

Further, the apparatus disclosed herein obviates the need to haulmultiple devices to a job site, each only capable of performing aspecific function. Specifically, a user could instead bring a singleapparatus to the job site capable of performing multiple functions forremoving and/or maintaining a tree. Certain specific embodiments,moreover, have the versatility to permit the selective attachment ofsecondary components to provide the apparatus the capability to performadditional functions. In specific embodiments, moreover, the specificequipment required to execute the various functions can be modular. Anembodiment of the invention, for example, includes a mobile chassisdesigned to accept a plurality of attachments that are powered by amotor also powering the mobile chassis, with the attachments beingcapable of performing a multitude of functions necessary in atree-removal and/or tree-maintenance operation. In another embodimentthe attachments could be powered by a secondary motor. This mobilechassis designed to accept such attachments is referred to herein as awood chipper. However, this wood chipper is not intended to befunctionally limited to chipping, but instead encompasses the multitudeof functions necessary in a tree-removal and/or tree-maintenanceoperation. By way of example, the wood chipper may include a woodgrinder as an alternative to chipping as per the industry's traditionaldefinition of chipping or may be a grinder exclusively as per theindustry's traditional definition of grinding.

The mobile wood chipper may also have lifting arms, which in someembodiments are removable, and which in some embodiments arehydraulically powered. In other embodiments, the lifting arms areincorporated into the chassis and are not removable. The lifting armsmay have, at their respective operating ends opposite the wood chipper,a universal attachment plate. The plate permits secondary apparatushaving a receiving plate to be carried by the wood chipper. Moreover,the wood chipper may include hydraulic or mechanical controls configuredto control operation of such secondary apparatus carried by the woodchipper.

The secondary apparatus may include, for example, a stump grinder, avacuum-assisted collection hopper or a hydraulically tiltable collectionhopper. The lifting arms assist the operator in several ways. Forexample, with a man bucket attached, the ability to selectively raisethe lifting arms allows the operator convenient access to otherwiseunreachable parts of the tree. Further, the lifting arms or collectionhopper function as a carrier for other tree work-related equipment suchas a chain saw, a fork-type carrier assembly, a stump grinder or apowered lift, for example.

When the branches of the tree are on the ground, they can be fed intothe wood chipper and the chips can be deposited into a hopper, whichrests on a support assembly carried by the lifting arms or frame. Whenthe largest limbs and trunk have been dropped onto the ground, afork-type carrier assembly, supported by the lifting arms or frame, cantransport logs that are too large to manually carry and eliminate theneed for a secondary transport machine. Further, the apparatus's designand operation are configured to minimize damage to surrounding lawn andpavement surfaces. In this regard, for example, the apparatus may beconfigured to control the falling direction of the largest tree sectionswhen these are attached to a rope.

Although the wood chips generated from feeding branches into aconventional wood chipper can be immediately directed into a hopper,wood chips generated by a conventional stump grinder typically remain onthe ground. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includesa hopper that can then be used to remove the stump wood chips from theground. In one specific embodiment, for example, a hopper is pivotableand includes a leading edge such that when the hopper is tilted, theleading edge is adjacent to the ground. The wood chipper is then driveninto the wood chips and these are engaged by the leading edge andscooped into the hopper. In an alternative embodiment, the hopper isattached to the machine at a point just to the rear of the arms'operating ends. In this configuration, the hopper is tilted so that theleading edge is adjacent the ground and so that wood chips and otherdebris thrown from rotation (e.g., clockwise) of a stump grinderattachment are received within an interior of the hopper.

Another alternative hopper design has a vacuum hose attachmentincorporated into the hopper or alternatively, the frame. The mobilewood chipper is moved into position close to a pile of wood chips andthe wood chips are vacuumed into the hopper with the hose attachment.Another alternative design includes a vacuum or sweeper system placed onthe forward facing portion of the hopper adjacent the ground so that itis in fluid communication with the interior of the hopper. The mobilewood chipper is then driven to the pile of wood chips and the vacuum orsweeper directs the wood chips into the interior of the hopper.

More specifically, in one embodiment, an apparatus for handling woodproducts (e.g., a wood chipping apparatus) is provided. The apparatushas a main portion that includes, in certain embodiments, a power sourcefor moving the apparatus relative to the ground. A lifting arm extendsfrom the main portion and is configured to be selectively raised andlowered, and has a coupling element. The apparatus also has a stumpgrinder that is releasably coupled to the lifting arm through thecoupling element and is configured to grind a tree stump. The liftingarm may be releasably coupled to the main portion. Additionally oralternatively, the lifting arm may be powered by the power source thatmoves the apparatus relative to the ground.

The power source, in specific embodiments, includes a hydraulic motor.The coupling element may include a skid steer loader-type universalcoupling plate. The lifting arm may be coupled to a first end of themain portion, and the apparatus may include a chipping apparatus in themain portion and an infeed table for feeding material into the chippingapparatus and which is located at a second end of the main portion,opposite the first end of the main portion. The lifting arm in thatembodiment may be configured to extend over the in-feed table.

In another specific embodiment, a secondary attachment is configured forselective coupling with the lifting arm in place of the stump grinder.The secondary attachment may, for example, include a collection hopper,a fork-type support, a telescoping arm, or a clamp-and-cutting assembly.In embodiments including a hopper, the same may include avacuum-and-hose assembly that is coupled to an interior of the hopperand which is operable to collect material from the ground and direct thesame into the interior of the hopper. Additionally or alternatively, thecollection hopper may include a vacuum and a suction bar that extendsalong a front edge of the hopper for engaging material on the ground.The collection hopper may be coupled to the lifting arm so as to beselectively tiltable relative to the main portion.

In another embodiment, a wood chipping apparatus is provided. Theapparatus includes a main body having first and second opposite ends,and first and second wheels. The first wheel is located at the firstend, and rotation of this first wheel is configured to chip or grindwood. The second wheel is coupled to the second end of the main body,and rotation of this wheel is configured to grind tree stumps. Theapparatus may include a power source for moving the apparatus relativeto the ground, and the power source may be configured to provide powerto rotate the first or second wheel. The apparatus may include acollection hopper in communication with the first or second wheel andpositioned to receive wood chips generated by the grinding of treestumps or chipping of tree limbs. The collection hopper may be coupledto other portions of the apparatus so as to be tiltable.

In a specific embodiment, the hopper includes a bottom wall that isconfigured to engage the ground and a leading edge element that extendsupward from the bottom wall to scoop wood chips from the ground uponmovement of the bottom wall along the ground. The hopper may,additionally or alternatively, include a vacuum device that is in fluidcommunication with an interior of the hopper, and a suction elementalong an edge of the bottom wall and which is in fluid communicationwith the vacuum device. The suction element in this embodiment isconfigured to direct wood chips from the ground into the interior of thehopper. The apparatus may include a chute that is in fluid communicationwith an interior of the hopper and a vacuum impeller in the chute whichis actuatable to direct wood chips from the interior of the hopper.

In one embodiment of the invention, a boom lift is designed to functionwith various types of heavy machinery. It is comprised of two mainparts: a primary body and a secondary body. The primary body includes anattachment for use in tree removal and/or tree maintenance, and can bedetached from the secondary body and united with a smaller machine.Furthermore, the primary body of the boom may permit improved access toportions of a tree that would otherwise be more difficult for suchremoval and/or maintenance. By way of example, this attachment mayinclude a basket for an operator to reside or an operable cuttingdevice. When united with the smaller machine, the primary body stillretains full functionality. The secondary body can also be detached ifneeded and coupled, for example, to a machine or vehicle.

In yet another embodiment, a lifting apparatus is provided. Theapparatus includes a primary body that has a support for supporting aperson, and a secondary body. A releasable coupling provides selectivecoupling between the primary and secondary bodies. The lifting apparatushas (a) a first condition in which the primary body is coupled to thesecondary body, and (b) a second condition in which the primary body isnot coupled to the secondary body, and is configured to be releasablycoupled to a vehicle.

The primary body may include a coupling plate that is configured toprovide a releasable coupling between the primary body and a secondvehicle. The releasable coupling between the primary and secondarybodies may include a pin that is received within corresponding holes inthe primary and secondary bodies. Alternatively or additionally, thereleasable coupling between the primary and secondary bodies may includea magnetic coupling that is automatically or selectively actuatable toprevent movement of the primary and secondary bodies relative to oneanother.

In a specific embodiment, the apparatus has a gear-track and gear deviceor “rack and pinion” device that is automatically or selectivelyactuatable to move the lifting apparatus from the first condition towardthe second condition. The rack and pinion device may provide slidingmovement of the primary body while maintaining the secondary bodyrelatively static so that the primary body can be positioned forcoupling to a second vehicle. For example, this sliding movement can besuch that the primary body's center of gravity changes, thus allowingthe end with the attachment plate to be pivoted downward with less forceand thereby facilitating its coupling to a second vehicle. Further,sliding the primary body relative to the generally static secondary bodydistances the primary body from the truck, allowing the receiving plateend to be more easily attached to a secondary element such as thereceiving plate end on a second vehicle, which may or may not includethe intermediate device discussed herein. The support in the primarybody may include a bucket.

In other situations in which it is desirable to attach the primary bodyto a second vehicle, an intermediate device may be used between acoupling plate on the primary body cooperating with a fixed or rotatablecoupling plate on a side of the intermediate device and the intermediatedevice coupled to a second vehicle by means of yet another couplingdevice on another side, such as the rear side of the intermediatedevice, for example, and where the coupling plate cooperates with thecoupling plate on the second vehicle. The intermediate device mayinclude a ground-engaging support component such as a skid plate,tracks, or wheels. The intermediate device allows the transport of aprimary body by a second vehicle which, absent the intermediate device,would not have a load-bearing capacity sufficient to support the weightof the primary body.

The secondary body may include a magnetic mounting element that isconfigured for coupling the secondary body to a transport vehicle, withthe magnetic coupling element being selectively or automaticallyactuatable to prevent movement of the secondary body relative to thetransport vehicle. The primary body may include a telescoping member forextending the effective length of the primary body. In a specificembodiment, the apparatus further includes a tertiary body, with theprimary, secondary, and tertiary bodies being coupled to one another soas to permit folding of each of the bodies relative to one another.

In yet another embodiment, a lifting system is provided. The systemincludes a transport vehicle, a primary body having a support forsupporting a person, and a secondary body that is supported by thetransport vehicle, and which is releasably couplable to the primarybody. The lifting system has (a) a first condition in which the primarybody is coupled to the secondary body, and (b) a second condition inwhich the primary body is not coupled to the secondary body and isconfigured to be releasably coupled to a second vehicle.

In another embodiment, a lifting system is provided. The system includesa first vehicle, a second vehicle releasably couplable to the firstvehicle, and a primary body that has a support for supporting a person.A secondary body is supported in the first vehicle and is releasablycouplable to the primary body. The lifting system has (a) a firstcondition in which the primary body is coupled to the secondary body,and (b) a second condition in which the primary body is not coupled tothe secondary body, and is releasably coupled to the second vehicle.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art uponreview of the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an apparatus for handling wood products in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thedrum configured for chipping.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thedrum configured for grinding.

FIG. 4 is a perspective disassembled view of a drum in accordance withone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of the drum shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective disassembled view of a drum in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the drum shown in FIG. 6 when assembled.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an apparatus for handling wood products inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an apparatus for handling wood products inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle incorporating anapparatus for handling wood products therein.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 a-c are a sequence showing the shroud in three stages: (a)fully covering the drum; (b) partially retracted from the drum; and (c)retracted from the drum so that the drum is ready to grind stumps (e.g.,grinding position).

FIG. 13 is a side view of the exemplary vehicle in accordance with analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the exemplary vehicle in accordance with analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the exemplary vehicle in accordance with analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the exemplary vehicle in accordance with analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the vehicleillustrating a chip collection assembly.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mechanized chute transfer system inaccordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the chute transfer system.

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary chip collection andevacuation assembly.

FIG. 21 is a cut away front perspective view of the chip collection andevacuation assembly shown in FIG. 20.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are side views showing a sequence of steps for a methodand type of chip discharge chute transfer in accordance with analternative embodiment.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are sectional cut away perspective views showingoperation of the diverter vane within the chip discharge chute inaccordance with an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the chip discharge chute with the chipcollection hopper removed in order to show log transport.

FIG. 27 is a side view illustrating a method of chip discharge into ahopper, and another alternative type of chute system for discharge ofchips from the hopper and into a truck mounted chip box.

FIG. 27A is a side view illustrating a method of chip discharge into ahopper, and another alternative type of chute system for discharge ofchips from the hopper and into a truck mounted chip box including a wallor walls for compartmentalizing chips.

FIG. 28 is a side view illustrating a method for the discharge of chipsfrom the hopper and into a chip box on the back of a truck.

FIG. 29 is a side view illustrating a method for the discharge of chipsdirectly into the back of a truck mounted chip box.

FIG. 30 is a side view illustrating the feed roller housing when thedrum is in the chipping position.

FIG. 31 is a side view illustrating the feed roller housing when thedrum is in the grinding position.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of alternative feed roller housing.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an exemplaryconnection between a pair of lifting arms and another portion of theapparatus of FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is another enlarged perspective view illustrating anotherportion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 33 and 35illustrating an exemplary connection between the lifting arms and a forkand hopper support.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a pair of lifting arms supporting anoptional fork and hopper support assembly.

FIG. 38A is a perspective view of a pair of lifting arms supporting anoptional fork and hopper support assembly including protective plates.

FIG. 39 is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an apparatus similar to that of FIG. 4,illustrating a chute unit different from that of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with an alternativeorientation of the lifting arms.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with anoptional tiltable hopper attachment.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with anoptional hopper attachment including an integrated vacuum and hoseassembly.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with anoptional hopper attachment including an integrated vacuum and suctionbar assembly.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with anoptional stump grinder attachment.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 33 with anoptional self-feeding shear arm attachment.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the apparatus and optional attachmentof FIG. 46 in use on a tree.

FIG. 47A is a perspective view of the apparatus and another optionalattachment of FIG. 46 in use on a tree.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a liftingapparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 49 is an elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 48 with theprimary and secondary bodies thereof coupled to one another.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary coupling betweenthe primary and secondary bodies of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-49.

FIG. 51 is an elevation view of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-50 supportedby a truck.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-51illustrating the primary body and secondary bodies of the apparatusseparated from one another.

FIG. 53 is an elevation view of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-52 with theprimary and secondary bodies thereof separated from one another.

FIG. 54 is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-53,illustrating an exemplary passive safety device thereof.

FIG. 55 is an elevation view of the primary body of the apparatus ofFIGS. 48-54 coupled to an exemplary secondary vehicle in the form of amobile chipper.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary coupling betweenthe primary body of the apparatus of FIGS. 48-54 and an exemplarysecondary vehicle in the form of a mobile chipper.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view illustrating the truck and apparatus ofFIGS. 48-54 coupled to a trailer that, in turn, supports a chip boxbucket.

FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57 illustrating the lifting apparatusin a position different from that illustrated in FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view illustrating the secondary body of thelifting apparatus of FIGS. 48-58 decoupled from the primary bodythereof.

FIG. 60 is an elevation view illustrating another exemplary embodimentof a lifting apparatus stored on a truck.

FIG. 61 is an elevation view illustrating the lifting apparatus of FIG.60 stored on a trailer.

FIG. 62 is an elevation view illustrating the lifting apparatus of FIGS.59-60 supported in a rear portion of a trailer and an exemplarysecondary vehicle in the form of a mobile chipper supported on thetrailer in a transverse orientation.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of an intermediate or auxiliary devicecoupled to the primary body of the apparatus of FIG. 48 and to thesecondary vehicle of FIG. 55.

FIG. 63A is a perspective view of an intermediate or auxiliary devicecoupled to the primary body of the apparatus of FIG. 48 and to thesecondary vehicle of FIG. 55 further showing a vibratory mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, and to FIG. 1 in particular, an exemplaryapparatus 10 for handling wood products, such as branches, bushes,trees, brush, and other fibrous materials is shown. By way of example,apparatus 10 may be particularly adapted to handle loose tree parts,including branches, trunks, leaves, etc. that are loose or otherwiseseparated from the ground, as well as the stump which remains in theground. Apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 that is supported at least inpart on the ground 14. As recognized by those of ordinary skill in theart, the frame 12 may take a wide variety of forms. For example, theframe 12 may be incorporated into a stand-alone tool or implement, whichmay in turn be removably coupled to a vehicle, such as a tractor, truck,backhoe, etc. (not shown). Alternatively and as generally illustrated inFIG. 10 and again in more detail in FIGS. 11-30, the frame 12 may formpart of a chassis of a vehicle capable of moving over the ground 14.Accordingly, the frame 12 is not limited to any application-specificimplementation of features of the invention, but encompasses a broadrange of support structures for supporting the components for processingthe wood products, as discussed below.

In one aspect of the invention, the wood handling apparatus 10 includesa processing device coupled to frame 12 capable of operating in multiplemodes for processing wood products. In an exemplary embodiment, theprocessing device is capable of operating in a first mode in which theprocessing device is configured to chip or grind the wood products, suchas loose tree parts. The processing device is further capable ofoperating in a second mode in which the processing device is configuredto grind wood products, such as the stump. As used herein, chippingrefers to processing a wood product by supporting the wood product on aworking surface of a fixed plate or anvil (referred to herein as ananvil surface) and contacting the wood product with the anvil surface ina manner that separates a portion of the wood product. It should beunderstood that the above reference to a fixed plate or anvil refers toits position at the time of use. During use, the anvil may be adjustedso that the drum, in differing positions while operating, does notdamage the anvil. Thus, the anvil may be spaced appropriately so thatthe grinding or chipping is done properly. The anvil may travel along afixed path such as a track in order to be set by the operator at adesired position. Grinding, on the other hand, refers to processing awood product by contacting the wood product with one or more contactingelements, with or without support from an anvil surface, so as topulverize or grind the wood product.

The distinction between chipping and grinding is clearly recognized inthe industry and is particularly apparent in tree disposal applications.As explained above, the above-grade portion of the tree is usually, butnot always, disposed of through a chipping or grinding process due tothe ability to feed the wood products to an apparatus so as to supportthe wood products on an anvil surface that is in proximity to thecontacting elements. The stump portion of the tree, however, is locatedin the ground and therefore grinding thereof is not conducive to supportby an anvil surface adjacent a contacting element. From a logisticalstandpoint, it is impractical to dispose of a stump through a chippingprocess. For this reason, loose tree parts generated from urban treecare work, for example, have traditionally been disposed of by achipping or grinding process and stumps have traditionally been disposedof by a grinding process. Due to the differences between the chippingand grinding processes, separate apparatus have been provided for eachtype of process. One aspect of the invention, however, is to provide aprocess and apparatus capable of selectively chipping and grindingwithin a single apparatus. Such an apparatus could produce chips orgrindings suitable for alternative uses, such as bio fuels for example.

To this end, the processing device may include at least one rotatabledrum configured for both chipping and grinding wood products. Inparticular, and in one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 10includes a drum 16 coupled to frame 12 in a manner to permit rotation ofdrum 16 about a central axis 18. The drum 16 may be generallycylindrical having opposed end walls 20, 22 and a peripheral sidewall 24connecting the two end walls 20, 22. The drum 16 may be coupled to anengine, shown schematically at 26, for rotating the drum 16. A widevariety of engines may be used for rotating the drum 16. For example,the engine 26 may be an internal combustion engine coupled as the primemover for a hydraulic fluid power system, an internal combustion engineas the prime mover for a directly coupled mechanical power transmissionsystem, or other type of engine recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art, which is capable of providing sufficient power for rotating thedrum 16.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment, the frame 12 mayinclude two spaced-apart upstanding studs 28, 30 having apertures (notshown) adapted to receive a first drive shaft 32 coupled to engine 26.The studs 28, 30 may include a bushing 34 having bearings for supportingthe first drive shaft 32 in the apertures. The engine 26 rotates thefirst drive shaft 32 about a central axis 36 that may, for example, begenerally parallel to the axis 18 about which the drum 16 rotates. Thefirst drive shaft 32 may include a pulley 38 coupled thereto, thepurpose of which is described in more detail below, which rotates withrotation of the first drive shaft 32. The frame 12 may further includeat least one arm, and preferably a pair of arms 40, 42 positionedadjacent studs 28, 30, respectively, and each having a first end 44 withan aperture (not shown) adapted to receive first drive shaft 32. Thefirst end 44 of the arms 40, 42 may also include a flange bearing 46 forsupporting the first drive shaft 32 in the apertures of the arms 40, 42.Although the first end 44 of arms 40, 42 are shown coupled to firstdrive shaft 32, the first end 44 may be coupled to frame 12, such as atstuds 28, 30.

A second end 48 of each of the arms 40, 42 includes an aperture (notshown) adapted to receive a second drive shaft 50 that aligns withcentral axis 18 and to which drum 16 is rotatably coupled. The secondend 48 of the arms 40, 42 may also include a bushing 52 having bearingsfor supporting the second drive shaft 50 in the apertures of the arms40, 42. Second drive shaft 50 also includes a pulley 54 coupled thereto,the purpose of which is described in more detail below, which rotateswith rotation of the second drive shaft 50. To transfer the powergenerated by engine 26 to the second drive shaft 50, which carries thedrum 16, the apparatus 10 may include a first link mechanism, such asbelt 56, that couples pulley 38 on first drive shaft 32 to the pulley 54on the second drive shaft 50. In this way, rotation of the first driveshaft 32 by engine 26 drives the second drive shaft 50 so as to rotatethe drum 16 about central axis 18.

In one aspect of this apparatus, the drum 16 is movable between a firstposition, in which the drum 16 is positioned to chip or grind woodproducts, such as loose tree parts, and a second position, in which thedrum 16 is positioned to grind a stump in the ground. When the drum 16is in the first position, the drum 16 may be positioned near an outletof a feed chute assembly coupled to frame 12 (not shown in FIGS. 1-3),and is generally spaced from the ground 14 by a sufficient amount so asto allow the drum 16 to freely rotate without any obstruction from theground 14. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 illustrates anexemplary feed chute assembly for feeding wood products to the drum 16.Additional details of the feed chute assembly are shown in FIGS. 13-15,17, 30, and 31. The feed chute assembly generally includes a rigid platemember or anvil defining an anvil surface 58 that may be positionedadjacent the peripheral sidewall 24 of drum 16. During use, the anvilsurface 58 may be adjusted so that the drum 16, in differing positionswhile operating, does not damage the anvil surface 58. Thus, the anvilsurface 58 may be spaced appropriately so that the grinding or chippingis done properly. The anvil surface 58 may travel along a fixed path,such as a track, in order to be set by the operator at a desiredposition. In this way, the anvil surface 58 and drum 16 may cooperate tochip or grind the loose tree parts or other wood products when the drum16 is in the first position. FIG. 2 illustrates the position of the drum16 relative to the anvil surface 58 and ground 14 when in the firstposition.

The drum 16 may be selectively movable from the first position to asecond position in which the drum 16 is positioned to grind the stump.By way of example, the drum 16 may be moved to a second positionproximate the ground 14 and away from anvil surface 58 so as to, forexample, grind the stump (not shown). In one embodiment, the frame 12may be moved relative to the ground 14, but remain fixed with respect tothe drum 16, so as to position the drum 16 proximate the ground 14 forgrinding the stump. For example, the frame 12 may be movable relative towheels, tracks, or other types of structures that support the frame 12relative to the ground 14. In other words, the entire frame 12 may bemoved relative to the ground 14 to position the drum 16 proximate theground 14.

In an exemplary embodiment, however, the drum 16 may be movable withrespect to the frame 12 so as to position the drum 16 proximate theground 14. In other words, the frame 12 as a whole does not moverelative to the ground 14, but the drum 16 is moved so as to positionthe drum 16 proximate the ground 14. To this end, the first end 44 ofarms 40, 42 may be pivotally coupled to the first drive shaft 32 (orstuds 28, 30) so that the arms 40, 42 are free to rotate about centralaxis 36. Because the drum 16 is coupled to the second end 48 of arms 40,42, the drum 16 is movable along a generally arcuate path 60 defined bythe rotation of arms 40, 42 around central axis 36. FIG. 3 illustratesthe position of the drum 16 relative to the ground 14 when in the secondposition.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the drum 16 is in the first position, the drum16 is positioned adjacent anvil surface 58 and spaced from the ground 14so as to permit the apparatus 10 to chip or grind the loose tree parts.As shown in FIG. 3, when the drum 16 is in the second position, the arms40, 42 have been rotated about central axis 36 so that the drum 16 hasbeen moved toward the ground 14. In this position, the drum 16 mayeffectively grind the stump in the ground 14.

The frame 12 may further include at least one, and preferably a pair oflifts 62 for rotating the arms 40, 42 about central axis 36, andconsequently, move drum 16 between the first and second positions. Inone embodiment, each lift 62 may be a hydraulic lift having a first end64 coupled to the frame 12 and a second end 66 coupled to a respectivearm 40, 42. By extending and retracting the lifts 62, the arms 40, 42rotate about the central axis 36 to move the drum 16 between the firstand second positions. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizeother types of lifts for rotating the arms 40, 42 and the invention isnot limited to the particular lifts shown and described herein.

The drum 16 may not only be selectively positioned depending on whethera chipping operation and/or a grinding operation is being used toprocess the wood products, but drum 16 may also be modified in a mannerthat enhances the particular operation being conducted. The drum 16generally includes one or more contacting elements that facilitateprocessing the wood products. The type of contacting elements may varydepending on the type of processing operation being conducted. As shownin FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the drum 16 includes at least one blade 68coupled to the peripheral sidewall 24 and includes a sharpened edge 70adapted to contact the wood products. The drum 16 and/or the anvilsurface 58 may be positioned so that the blade 68 is slightly spaced oroffset from an edge of the anvil surface 58 such that as wood productsare inserted into the feed chute assembly, and as the blade 68 passes bythe anvil surface 58, the wood products are reduced to small wood chips.

The blade or blades 68 may each extend the width 72 of the sidewall 24.Alternately, the blade(s) 68 may extend for a portion of the width 72 ofthe sidewall 24 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6). In one embodiment, forexample, the drum 16 may include two opposed blades 68 on sidewall 24wherein the first blade extends for a first portion of the width 72 ofsidewall 24 and the second blade extends the remaining portion of thewidth 72 such that the entire width 72 has a portion of a blade 68associated therewith. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat more than two blades 68 may be used to span the width of sidewall24 and be within the scope of the invention.

When the drum 16 is in the first position and the apparatus 10 is to beused for chipping, the drum 16 having the blades 68 as shown in FIG. 2may be used. When it is desired to use the apparatus 10 for grindinginstead of chipping wood products, the drum 16 may be moved to thesecond position as described above, e.g., rotation of arms 40, 42 usinglifts 62. Before commencing grinding of wood products, however, the drum16 may be further configured for the grinding process. Due to thedifferences between a chipping process and a grinding process, themechanical loads imposed on the contacting elements of the drum 16 withthe wood products are typically very different for the two processes. Inparticular, because grinding essentially pulverizes the wood products,the loads imposed on the contacting elements during grinding aresignificantly higher as compared to chipping. For this reason, while theblades 68 described above may be suitable for chipping, the blades 68may not be suitable for grinding. Moreover, a grinding process usingblades 68 may damage the blades rendering them useless in any subsequentchipping processes and requiring replacement. Consequently, it may bedesirable to provide contacting elements for the drum 16 more suitablefor the grinding process.

To this end, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus 10 may furtherinclude an attachment member 74 adapted to be removably attached to thedrum 16 to provide more suitable contacting elements for grindingprocesses. The attachment member 74 may include at least one plate 76carrying a plurality of teeth 78 configured to withstand the increasedmechanical loads imposed during grinding processes. By way of example,the teeth 78 may be carbide teeth or other hardened materials asrecognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 4, the attachment member 74 may include four plates 76with each plate carrying a plurality of teeth 78. Each plate 76 has anarcuate shape so as to substantially correspond to the shape of aportion of the sidewall 24 and may be coupled to the drum 16 withsuitable fasteners, such as bolts (not shown). Certain plates 76 mayinclude a cutout 80 so as to accommodate the blades 68 on drum 16. Inthis way, the blades 68 do not have to be removed in order to configurethe drum 16 for grinding processes. Alternatively, however, the blades68 may be removed from drum 16 and the formation of cutouts 80 incertain plates 76 omitted.

Each plate 76 includes a plurality of radially-extending tabs 82 inspaced-apart relation on plate 76 to which a tooth 78 is coupled. Eachof the tabs 82 includes a threaded bore 84 adapted to receive a threadedfastener for securing the tooth 78 to the tab 82. The teeth 78 include abase portion 86 having one or more apertures 88 through which thethreaded fastener extends, and an extending portion 90 projectingradially outward therefrom. Each tooth 78 defines a contacting surface92 adapted to contact and grind the wood products. Each plate 76 mayfurther include a support flange 94 in contact with one or more tabs 82on a side of the tab 82 opposite the contacting surface 92. The supportflange 94 provides structural support to the tabs 82 without interferingwith the operation of the teeth 78 to grind the wood products.

As best shown in FIG. 5, a terminating end of the extending portion 90of teeth 78 is positioned radially outward of the sharpened edge 70 ofblades 68 when the plates 76 are coupled to the drum 16. In this way,the teeth 78 are the operative contacting elements that impact the woodproducts so as to grind the wood products and prevent damage to theblades 68. Furthermore, the teeth 78 may be arranged on the plates in awide variety of patterns. For example, the teeth 78 may becircumferentially spaced along sidewall 24 as single teeth (FIG. 6) orin pairs (FIGS. 4 and 5). Typically the teeth 78 are arranged such thatin one complete revolution of the drum 16, the width 72 of sidewall 24will have been covered by at least one pass of a tooth 78. When it isdesired to configure the apparatus 10 for chipping again, the plates 76may be removed to once again expose the blades 68. The drum 16 may thenbe moved back to the first position adjacent the anvil 58 so that theblades 68 and anvil 58 may cooperate to chip the wood products.

While the embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a drum 16originally configured for chipping, i.e., the blades 68 are theoperative contacting elements, and an add-on feature, such as attachmentmember 74, was used to configure the drum 16 for grinding, i.e., theteeth 78 are the operative contacting elements, the invention is not solimited. In an alternative embodiment, the drum may be initiallyconfigured for grinding and an add-on feature used to configure the drumfor chipping. The drum 16 a shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which likereference numerals refer to like features in FIGS. 1-5, is an example ofsuch an embodiment.

The drum 16 a includes a plurality of teeth 78 coupled to the peripheralsidewall 24 configured to withstand the increased mechanical loadsimposed during grinding. For example, the teeth 78 may be carbide teethor other hardened materials as recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art. To this end, the drum 16 a includes a plurality of radiallyextending tabs 82 in spaced-apart relation on the sidewall 24 to which atooth 78 is coupled. Each of the tabs 82 includes a threaded bore 84adapted to receive a threaded fastener for securing the tooth 78 to thetab 82. The teeth 78 include a base portion 86 having one or moreapertures 88 through which the threaded fastener extends, and anextending portion 90 projecting outward therefrom. Each tooth 78 definesa contacting surface 92 adapted to contact and grind the wood products.As noted above, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the teeth 78may be spaced along sidewall 24 so as to have a single tooth at acircumferential location, as opposed to the pair of teeth at eachcircumferential location as shown in the previous embodiment.Nevertheless, the teeth 78 may collectively cover the width 72 of thesidewall 24 in one complete revolution of the drum 16 a.

When the drum 16 a is in the first or second position and the apparatus10 is to be used for grinding processes, the drum 16 a having theplurality of teeth 78 as shown in FIG. 6 (prior to the addition of theblades 68) may be used. When it is desired to use the apparatus 10 for achipping process instead of a grinding process, the drum 16 a may bemoved to the first position (if in the second position) as describedabove. In one embodiment, the teeth 78 may be configured to not onlygrind the wood products when in the second position, but the teeth 78may also be configured to cooperate with the anvil surface 58 so as togrind the wood products when in the first position. In a furtherembodiment, the teeth 78 may be configured to grind and chip woodproducts, e.g., the teeth 78 provide the contacting elements for boththe grinding and chipping process. While such teeth capable ofperforming both the grinding and chipping processes are available, theytend to be expensive and thus may not be cost effective for the owner ofsuch apparatus.

Additionally, while the teeth 78 may successfully be used in cooperationwith the anvil surface 58 to chip the wood products when in the firstposition, the quality of the chipping process may be reduced and thepower necessary to chip the wood products may be increased relative tocontacting elements configured as a blade. Thus in another embodiment,the drum 16 a may be further configured for the chipping process with amodification of blades.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the apparatus 10 may further include anattachment member 74 a removably coupled to the drum 16 a to providemore suitable contacting elements for chipping processes. The attachmentmember 74 a includes at least one blade assembly 96 for chipping thewood products. In one embodiment, the attachment member 74 a may includetwo such blade assemblies 96. Each blade assembly 96 includes a basemember 98 coupled to the sidewall 24 and a blade 68 coupled to the basemember 98. Suitable fasteners as recognized by those of ordinary skillin the art may be used to secure the base member 98 to the sidewall 24and to secure the blade 68 to the base member 98. As best shown in FIG.7, when the blade assemblies 96 are coupled to the drum 16 a, thesharpened edge 70 of blade 68 is positioned radially outward of theterminating end of teeth 78. In this way, the blades 68 are theoperative contacting elements that impact the wood products so as tochip the wood products and reduce or prevent damage to the teeth 78.

While the embodiments shown and described above illustrate a single drumconfigurable for both the chipping and grinding processes, the inventionis not so limited. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which like referencenumerals refer to like features in FIGS. 1-7, the apparatus may includemultiple rotatable drums, each performing at least one of the chippingor grinding processes. For example, and as shown in FIG. 8, theapparatus 110 includes a first drum 112 and a second drum 114. Forclarity, portions of the frame 12 have been omitted from the figure, butthose of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus 110may, like the previous embodiments, include a frame having a widevariety of configurations. In one embodiment, the first drum 112 may beconfigured for chipping processes and the second drum 114 may beconfigured for grinding processes, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively,the first drum 112 may be configured for grinding processes and thesecond drum 114 may be configured for chipping processes. Accordingly,the first drum 112 may include at least one blade 68 on sidewall 24 thatcooperates with anvil surface 58 (not shown) for chipping wood productssuch as loose tree parts in the manner described above. Additionally,the second drum 114 may include a plurality of teeth 78 arranged on thesidewall 24 for grinding wood products such as stumps in the mannerdescribed above.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the drums 112, 114 is supported by a pair ofarms 40, 42, 116, 118, respectively, in the manner described above andeach is driven directly from the first drive shaft 32. To this end, thefirst drive shaft 32 may include a pair of pulleys 38, 120 and seconddrive shaft 50 may include a pair of pulleys 54, 122. The second driveshaft 50 may include a first portion 124 around which the first drum 112rotates and a second portion 126 around which the second drum 114rotates. In this embodiment, the first and second shaft portions 124,126 are not coupled with each other and each is capable of rotatingindependently relative to the other. The pulleys 38, 54 may be coupledby a first link mechanism, such as belt 56. Likewise, pulleys 120, 122may be coupled by a second link mechanism, such as belt 128. Thus,rotation of the first drive shaft 32 by engine 26 drives the first andsecond shaft portions 124, 126 of second drive shaft 50 so as to rotatethe drums 112, 114 about the central axis 18. The apparatus 110 mayfurther include at least one engagement mechanism for selectivelyengaging the link mechanism on at least one of the drums 112, 114. Forexample, an engagement mechanism may be associated with the second drum114. In this way, the first drum 112 would always rotate with rotationof the first drive shaft 32, but the second drum 114 may be selectivelyturned on or off, i.e., start rotating or stop rotating with rotation ofthe first drive shaft 32, by actuation of the engagement mechanism.Alternatively, the engagement mechanism may be associated with the firstdrum 112, such that the second drum 114 always rotates with rotation ofthe first drive shaft 32, but the first drum 112 may be selectivelyturned on or off by actuation of the engagement mechanism. In stillanother alternative embodiment, an engagement mechanism may beassociated with both the first and second drums 112, 114 for selectivelyturning on or off each of the drums 112, 114.

The engagement mechanism may include, for example, various clutchmechanisms generally known in the art, or tensioning devices thattension the belts that couple the first drive shaft 32 to the firstand/or second shaft portions 124, 126. As those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize, the engagement mechanism may be associated with thefirst drive shaft 32 so that at least one of the pulleys 38, 120 doesnot rotate with rotation of the first drive shaft 32. Alternatively, theengagement mechanisms may be associated with the second drive shaft 50so that at least one of the first and second shaft portions 124, 126does not rotate with rotation of the respective pulleys 54, 122.

FIG. 9, in which like reference numerals refer to like features in FIGS.1-8, shows yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention. Asin the previous embodiment, apparatus 140 includes a first and seconddrum 112, 114. For reasons provided below, preferably the first drum 112is configured for grinding processes and the second drum 114 isconfigured for chipping processes. Alternately, the first drum 112 maybe configured for chipping processes and the second drum 114 may beconfigured for grinding processes (not shown). Accordingly, the firstdrum 112 includes a plurality of teeth 78 arranged on the sidewall 24for grinding wood products in the manner described above. Additionally,the second drum 114 includes at least one blade 68 on sidewall 24 thatcooperates with anvil surface 58 (not shown) for chipping wood productsin the manner described above.

Each of the drums 112, 114 is supported by a pair of arms 40, 42, 116,118, respectively, in the manner described above. Unlike the previousembodiment, however, only one of the drums 112, 114 (e.g., drum 112) isdirectly driven by the first drive shaft 32, referred to herein as themaster drum, and the other of drums 112, 114 (e.g., drum 114) is drivenoff of the master drum, referred to herein as the slave drum. Such amaster/slave arrangement may provide a number of advantages. Forexample, fewer components for driving the second drive shaft 50 areutilized in such an arrangement, which decreases overall costs of theapparatus. Additionally, this configuration allows the inertial energyof the master drum to be utilized in driving the slave drum. Thus, itmay be advantageous to have the heavier drum as the master. In theinstant case, the drum configured for grinding processes, i.e., thefirst drum 112 as shown in FIG. 9, is typically heavier than the drumconfigured for chipping processes, i.e., the second drum 114, so ispreferably configured to be the master drum. The invention, however, isnot so limited.

The first drive shaft 32 includes pulley 38 and second drive shaft 50includes pulley 54, which are coupled via a first link mechanism, suchas belt 56. The second drive shaft 50 includes first shaft portion 124around which the first drum 112 rotates, and a second shaft portion 126around which second drum 114 rotates. In this embodiment, the first andsecond shaft portions 124, 126 are coupled by an engagement mechanism142. Thus, the first drum 112 may be configured to always rotate withrotation of the first drive shaft 32, but the second drum 114 may beselectively turned on or off by actuation of the engagement mechanism142. When the engagement mechanism 142 is actuated, the second shaftportion 126 will be driven by the first shaft portion 124 so as torotate the second drum 114. When the engagement mechanism 142 is notactuated, the first shaft portion 124 will not drive the second shaftportion 126 and the second drum 114 will not rotate.

The engagement mechanism 142 may include, for example, various clutchmechanisms generally known in the art. Additionally, the drums 112, 114may be coupled to shaft portions 124, 126, respectively, throughremovable fasteners, such as pins (not shown). In this way, if one wantsto drive the second drum 114 without rotating the first drum 112, thefasteners that secure the first drum 112 to the first shaft portion 124may be removed so as to allow the first shaft portion 124 to rotatewithout rotation of the first drum 112. The second drum 114 may likewisehave pins that provide rotation of the drum 114 with rotation of thesecond shaft portion 126 when the pins are inserted but yet allow thesecond shaft portion 126 to rotate without rotating the second drum 114when the pins are removed.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus in accordance withthe invention incorporated into the chassis of a vehicle 150. Thevehicle 150 includes a chassis, shown generally at 152, that operates asa frame 12 for supporting a rotatable drum 16. Although FIG. 10illustrates the drum 16 configured for a chipping process, the drum 16could also be configured for a grinding process as described above. Theframe 12 is coupled to the ground 14 via a pair of spaced-apart tracks154 wherein the drum 16 is positioned intermediate the tracks 154. Thetracks 154 facilitate weight distribution of the vehicle 150 on theground 14 so as to minimize ruts or other damage to the ground, but yetallow the vehicle to be movable over the ground 14.

The vehicle 150 includes an engine 26, studs 28, 30 for supporting firstdrive shaft 32, and arms 40, 42 coupled to the first drive shaft 32 atthe first end 44 and supporting second drive shaft 50 at their secondend 48. The drum 16 is mounted on second shaft 50 and is driven by thefirst drive shaft 32 via a first link mechanism, such as belt 56. Thevehicle 150 further includes lifts 62 for moving the drum 16 between thefirst and second positions and an anvil surface 58 for use in chippingprocesses. As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle 150 may include a feed chuteassembly 156 for feeding wood products, such as loose tree parts, to thedrum 16 when chipping. Furthermore, the vehicle 150 may further includea shroud 158 that surrounds at least a portion of the drum 16. Theshroud 158 may be generally open along a lower portion thereof to allowthe drum 16 to be rotated toward the ground 14, through actuation oflifts 62 and in the second position. In one embodiment, the shroud 158is fixed to the chassis 152 of the vehicle 150 so as to not move withmovement of drum 16. In an alternative embodiment, however, the shroud158 may be configured to move with movement of drum 16 or be capable ofindependent movement relative to drum 16. The shroud 158 includes anoutlet 160 which may be coupled to an outlet chute assembly, embodimentsof which are discussed below, for directing the processed wood productsto a bin 162 (shown in phantom) also carried by the vehicle 150.

In this regard, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may further be capableof collecting the processed wood products (e.g., chipped or ground loosetree parts or stump). More particularly, the rotation of the drum may beused to direct the chipped or ground wood products into the shroud 158,through the outlet 160 thereof, through the outlet chute assembly, andinto the collection bin 162. In this way, the processed wood productsare collected during the chipping or grinding process. Therefore, thereis no need to collect the processed wood products at a later time, whichis typical in conventional chipping and grinding processes.

To this end, the engine 26 of vehicle 150 may be configured to rotatethe drum 16 in a certain direction (e.g., counterclockwise in FIG. 10)to facilitate collection of the processed wood products. In other words,the drum 16 may rotate in a direction that directs the processed woodproducts through the outlet chute assembly via the shroud 158 forconvenient collection thereof. It should be realized, however, thatengine 26 may be configured to rotate the drum 16 in either theclockwise and/or counterclockwise direction depending on the specificapplication. For example, engine 26 may include a suitable transmissionand other gear mechanisms (not shown) that allow the drum to rotate ineither direction. In this way, for example, it is possible to rotate thedrum 16 in a first direction for a chipping process and rotate the drumin a second direction for a grinding process.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is but one exemplary embodimentutilizing a chipping/grinding apparatus in accordance with theinvention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thechipping and grinding apparatus is not limited to that shown in FIG. 10,but may be incorporated into a broad range of structures, such asself-standing implements, or platforms that may be subsequently coupledto a tractor, truck, etc.

By way of example, FIG. 11 illustrates vehicle 150 in greater detail. Asshown in this figure, the vehicle 150 may include a drum 16 configuredfor grinding processes by, for example, including a plurality of teeth78 as described above. To facilitate grinding of wood products, such asa portion of a stump 852, the front support structure 851 of vehicle 150may be configured to be at a sufficient height off the ground 14 toallow adequate clearance of the portion of a stump 852 protruding abovethe ground to pass beneath the front support structure 851 and therebybe positioned adjacent drum 16. Given the relatively low profile of thetracks 154, in one exemplary embodiment, this may be accomplished byattaching a vertical member 850 to a horizontal member 849 which, inturn, may be anchored to an internal structural member (not shown) ofeach of the tracks 154.

The invention, however, is not so limited as the front support structure851 may be raised by other means. For example, the front supportstructure 851 may be raised, either in a fixed manner or in anadjustable manner, by hydraulic cylinders (not shown) configured toraise at least the center portion of the chassis. Alternatively, thetracks 154 may have a high profile design that increases the height offront support structure 851 relative to the ground. Those of ordinaryskill in the art may recognize other mechanisms to raise the frontsupport structure 851 relative to the ground 14 so as to allow a portionof stump 852 to pass thereunder and be positioned adjacent drum 16. Asan alternative to drum 16 engaging the ground 14 by way of pivotingsupport arm 106 moving in an arcuate path, drum 16 may move toward theground following a vertical path of travel. For example, by way ofhydraulic power, drum 16 may move vertically downward with drive shaft32, interior bushings, and other attenuate mechanical power transmissioncomponents. These components may travel as such on a track in anyvertical or angled descent/ascent. By way of another example, drum 16may be rotated preferably by direct mechanical coupling, such as a belt,along any non-arcuate path by prime mover 26 on a platform alsoindependently capable of vertical movement from the vehicle 150 shown inFIG. 11. It may be possible to accomplish such vertical movement by wayof hydraulic cylinders, pinion gears in a gear track, telescopic tubeengagements, or other similar mechanical methods for moving objectsvertically along a controlled path.

As noted above in regard to FIG. 10, vehicle 150 may include a shroud158 configured to encase at least a portion of the drum 16. In oneembodiment, the shroud 158 may include portions thereof independentlymovable so as to expose portions of the drum 16, depending on theparticular configuration. In that regard, in one embodiment, and asshown in FIGS. 12A-12C, shroud 158 includes a stationary upper shroudsection 300 a and a movable lower shroud section 300 b. Initially, suchas when in a non-operating mode, the drum 16 may be essentiallysurrounded by the upper shroud section 300 a and the lower shroudsection 300 b (FIG. 12A). As previously discussed, vehicle 150 mayinclude a pair of arms 40, 42 configured to receive second drive shaft50, on which drum 16 is rotatably mounted (e.g., see FIG. 11). The uppershroud portion 300 a may be fixed relative to arms 40, 42. However, thelower shroud portion 300 b may include an actuation mechanism capable ofmoving lower shroud portion 300 b so as to expose the drum 16, such asduring a grinding process.

To this end, vehicle 150 may further include a gear track plate 302fixedly attached to the lower shroud portion 300 b and mounted aboutsecond drive shaft 50. The track plate 302 is operatively coupled to amotor, such as hydraulic motor 301, for moving lower shroud portion 300b and which may be mounted to one of arms 40, 42. In one embodiment,track plate 302 includes gear teeth on the outer most diameter thereofconfigured to engage with pinion teeth coupled to the hydraulic motor301. In this way, when the pair of arms 40, 42 are in a non-groundingengaging position and hydraulic motor 301 is activated, lower shroudportion 300 b may be rotated about axis 18 so as to be retracted overupper shroud portion 300 a and expose drum 16 (FIGS. 12B, 12C). Moreparticularly, when the lower shroud portion 300 b is retracted, theteeth 78 are exposed for grinding wood products, such as stump 852. Thehydraulic motor 301 may again be activated to move the lower shroudportion 300 b back to its original position such that shroud 158 maysubstantially surround drum 16. For example, such a configuration of thedrum 16 and upper and lower shroud portions 300 a, 300 b may bedesirable when the drum 16 is in the chipping position. While the abovedescribes the use of hydraulic motor 301 to retract the lower shroudportion 300 b, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother types of motors may be used to move lower shroud portion 300 b soas to expose drum 16 and teeth 78.

As shown in these figures, in one embodiment, the shroud 158 may includean access panel for accessing the drum 16 on the inside of shroud 158.For example, the access panel may be used to clean drum 16, providemaintenance to drum 16 (e.g., replace teeth 78 or blades 68),couple/decouple attachment members 74, 74 a to or from the drum 16(e.g., see FIGS. 4-7), or provide some other service that requiresaccess to the drum 16. In one embodiment, the access panel may includean access door 304 mounted to the shroud 158, such as along upper shroudportion 300 a, via hinges 305. Other access panels may also be used. Forexample, the access panel may include a sliding type of door or closure(not shown) that opens and closes an opening into the interior of shroud158.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of vehicle 150 incorporating variousaspects of apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the vehicle 150 may bepowered by one or more wheel motors 117 (one shown) which is coupled tothe vehicle 150 within a track frame 118 associated with each of thetracks 154. A series of idler pulleys 143 support vehicle tracks 154.Integrated into the inside of the vehicle tracks 154 are track teeth 173that are configured to engage a rotating sprocket 173 a operativelycoupled to the wheel motor 117. Mobile track driven chassis, such asdiscussed here, are generally known in the art and a more completedescription of the drive train of the vehicle 150 has been omittedherein for sake of brevity. Nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in theart will readily understand the construction of the tracks 154 and thedrive system that allows the vehicle 150 to be mobile.

As shown in FIG. 13, to protect the internal workings of the vehicle 150from debris and damage, vehicle 150 may include a removable cover 119.Cover 119 provides the desired protection, yet allows access to theinternal workings of the vehicle 150 for repairs, maintenance, etc. FIG.14 illustrates vehicle 150 with the removable cover 199 omitted forpurposes of illustration and description. As illustrated in thesefigures, the vehicle 150 includes a feed roller assembly for guidingwood products toward the drum 16 during, for example, a chippingprocess. In one embodiment, the feed roller assembly may include a feedroller housing 157, a feed roller control arm 113, and a control armattachment 115 for a feed roller (not shown) connected to the feedroller control arm 113. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readilyunderstand the construction and operation of the feed roller assemblyand therefore, a more detailed description will be omitted for sake ofbrevity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 150 may include a chip and stumpgrinding discharge chute 135 that facilitates collection of theprocessed wood products generated from various chipping and grindingprocesses. As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge chute 135 may be coupledto the shroud 158, such as via the upper shroud portion 300 a. Thedischarge chute 135 may include a generally arcuate base chute 133having a first end coupled to the shroud 158 and a second end extendingtherefrom. The second end of base chute 133 is coupled to an outer chutesegment 164 via a hinge 132 that allows the outer chute segment 164 topivot relative to the base chute 133 between a first and secondposition. In the first position, the outer chute segment 164 operates asan extension of the base chute 133 so as to further direct the processedwood products toward a desired location. In the second position, theouter chute segment 164 is pivoted out of the path of the base chute 133such that it plays no role in guiding or directing the processed woodproducts. In this way, the outer chute segment 164 can be hingedrearwardly on the base chute 133 at the operator's discretion in orderto direct the processed wood products into a hopper 147, oralternatively, to direct the processed wood products elsewhere, such asinto the back of the truck. For example, with the outer chute segment164 folded down, chips or grindings may be directed into the hopper 147,and with outer chute segment 164 folded back, chips or grindings may bedirected a distance beyond the hopper 147, such as in the back of thetruck or on the ground. In one embodiment, the hopper 147 may be carriedby the vehicle 150. In this regard, the vehicle 150 may include a pairof hopper support arms 700 and a hopper support 151 coupled thereto(e.g., similar to a fork arrangement) configured to support the hopper147 thereon.

In one aspect of the invention, vehicle 150 includes an outlet chutesystem that includes a dual mode of operation. More particularly, in onemode, and as illustrated in FIG. 14, the discharge chute 135 may operateto direct the processed wood products into the collection hopper 147.However, in a second mode of operation the discharge chute 135 mayoperate to guide the processed wood products that have been collected inhopper 147 toward another location, such as in the back of a truck.Thus, the same chute system may be used for dual purposes in accordancewith this aspect of the invention.

To this end, the vehicle 150 may include a chute transfer system 233that moves the discharge chute 135 from the upper shroud section 300 ato a blower housing chute 145 that is operatively coupled to thecollection hopper 147. In one embodiment, the chute transfer system 233includes a housing coupled to the shroud 158, a hydraulic motor 129coupled to the housing, and a bracket fixedly coupled to the dischargechute 135 and movably coupled to the housing. The hydraulic motor 129 isoperative to move the bracket relative to the housing. In this regard,when the hydraulic motor 129 is actuated, the bracket moves relative tothe housing so as to move the discharge chute 135 from the shroud 158and toward the blower housing chute 145. In this way, the dischargechute 135 is moved so as to engage an operating end 174 of the blowerhousing chute 145. A locking pin 134 may be used to lock/release thedischarge chute 135 to/from the shroud 158. A locking pin may also beused to lock/release the discharge chute 135 to/from the operating end174 of blower housing chute 145. Those of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize other locking mechanisms for securing/releasing the dischargechute 135 relative to the shroud 158 and blower housing chute 145.

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate additional details of vehicle 150. FIG. 15illustrates a rearview of the vehicle 150. Wheel motors 197 propel thevehicle tracks 154 in conjunction with other track assembly componentsas readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. This figurealso shows additional details of the feed roller assembly that guideswood products toward the drum 16. For example, this figure illustrates afeed roller grip plate 201 extending vertically from a surface of feedroller drum 203. Additionally, FIG. 15 illustrates a hydraulic oil tank186 for supplying hydraulic fluid to the various components of vehicle150.

FIG. 16 depicts a top view of the vehicle 150 showing the vertical rearwall of collection hopper 147, a floor 187 of hopper 147 that, asdescribed in more detail below, facilitates removal of the processedwood products from the hopper 147, as well as the hopper fork andsupport 151 that supports and carries the hopper 147 on vehicle 150.FIG. 17 shows additional details of the feed roller assembly. Moreparticularly, this figure illustrates a feed table 100 transitioning toa conical chute segment 106 that in turn transitions to the feed rollerdrum 203. As understood, workers at a job site place wood products suchas branches, leaves, etc. on the feed table and push them into theconical chute segment 106. The feed roller drum 203 then engages thewood products and moves them toward the drum 16 for processing.

As described above, when in the chipping mode, the blades 68 coupled todrum 16 are proximate anvil surface 58 and cooperate therewith so as tochip the wood products being fed through the feed roller assembly. Withreference to FIG. 17, chips produced by the drum 16 transfer through theinterior of the shroud 158 and are directed upwardly and above the drum16, into the base chute section 133 of discharge chute 135. The chipsmove through the discharge chute 135 and exit at the base chute opening163. When the upper chute segment 164 is in its second position (i.e.,hinged away from base chute 133), the chips may be directed outward andinto a truck, other unattached container, or simply onto the ground.When the upper chute segment 164 is rotated into its first position,chips will exit at the upper chute outlet 165 and be deposited intocollection hopper 147. In some embodiments, the chips move by their owninertia following the chipping action into the base chute section 133and into the discharge chute 135, such as for subsequent collection bythe hopper 147.

In another aspect in accordance with the invention, the vehicle 150 mayinclude an evacuation system configured to evacuate the processed woodproducts collected in hopper 147. For example, when the collectionhopper 147 is full of wood chips, the chips may be drawn into the blowerhousing chute 145 by an impeller 203 through a chip inlet port 234,where they will be further directed as discussed in reference to otherfigures. FIG. 18 illustrates the chute transfer system 233 used to movethe discharge chute from a first position, wherein it guides theprocessed wood products to the collection hopper 147, and a secondposition, wherein it guides the processed wood products away from thehopper 147. In this regard and as previously discussed, the base chute133 may be advanced from the upper shroud section 300 a to the blowerhousing chute 145 by means of a gear track 168 which is operativelycoupled to a gear track pinion 228. The pinions 213 and shaft areconnected to the gear track and pinions 228 terminating in pillow blockbearing 213. The assembly comprising elements 213, 228 and the pinions213 are propelled by a hydraulic motor 129.

In one embodiment, the gear track pinion 228 may be capable of pivotingbetween an engaged position, wherein the pinions 213 engage the geartrack 168, and a disengaged position, wherein the pinions 213 are spacedaway from the gear track 168. When the gear track pinion 228 is in theengaged position, actuation of motor 129 causes movement of the basechute 133. However, when the gear track pinion 228 is in the disengagedposition, the hydraulic motor 129 is no longer operatively coupled tothe base chute 133 and thus movement thereof is prevented. FIG. 20 showsthe gear track pinion 228 in the disengaged position. This may beaccomplished, for example, by releasing forward motor securement bolt223 and rearward motor securement bolt 239 and manually pivoting thegear track pinion 228. The bolts 223, 239 may be retightened to securethe gear track pinion 228 in the disengaged position. Of course when theoperator desires to move the base chute 133, such as to evacuate theprocessed wood products from the hopper 147, the bolts 223, 239 may beloosened so as to pivot the gear track pinion 228 back to its engagedposition. The bolts 223, 239 may again be tightened to secure the geartrack pinion 228 in the engaged position.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the chip collection and evacuation assembly.The assembly includes a brace for the chute transfer system 233 and thechip collection hopper 147. In one embodiment, the collection hopper 147may be secured to the transport support structure 715 by a rotatablelatching mechanism 227 and placed on fork and hopper supports 151, aspreviously described. To secure the chip collection hopper 147 in place,the latching mechanism 227 is rotated to a generally horizontal positionwhereby it engages vertical support members 716 a and 716 b. Thetransport support structure 715 further includes an evacuation systemfor removing the processed wood products from the collection hopper 147.In an exemplary embodiment, the evacuation system includes an impeller234 integrated into blower housing chute 145 and positioned adjacenthopper 147 and discharge chute 135 (after it has been moved so as to beoperatively coupled to blower housing chute 145 as described above). Ablower motor 207 drives a pulley 185, which in turn is coupled to apulley 218 (such as via a belt) operatively coupled to impeller 234.When the blower motor 207 is actuated, the impeller 234 rotates so as tocreate a vacuum that sucks the processed wood products into interiorchute 149. The evacuation system then directs the processed woodproducts through the blower housing chute 145, through the dischargechute 135 and out of exiting opening 163. In this way, for example, theprocessed wood products in collection hopper 147 may be transported to atruck or other area. The transport support structure 715 may alsoinclude a hydraulic quick disconnect 217 where hydraulic supply andreturn lines originating from vehicle base 150 (not shown) may becoupled. The hydraulic power may be generated by engine 26 and hydraulicpump 178 (not shown) via hydraulic lines leading to hydraulic quickconnects 217.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, to facilitateevacuation of the collection hopper 147, the hopper may include variousfeatures that work in conjunction with the evacuation system forefficient removal of the processed wood products therein. In thisregard, FIG. 21 is a partial cut away front view of the transportsupport structure 715 illustrating the structure and configuration ofthe floor of the collection hopper 147. In one embodiment, thecollection hopper 147 may include an operable floor 187 defined at leastin part by one or more (two shown) pivotable plate-like flaps 187 a, 187b. The pivotable flaps 187 a, 187 b are pivotally fixed at one endthereof and coupled to hydraulic cylinders 221 at another end thereof.The hydraulic cylinders may be operatively coupled to hydraulic lines236 for providing power thereto. The hydraulic cylinders 221 may beanchored to a base of the floor of the chip collection hopper 147 at oneend thereof and coupled to the flaps 187 a, 187 b at another endthereof. As shown in FIG. 20, the hydraulic cylinders 221 are configuredso as to direct the processed wood products toward an opening in thecollection hopper 147 in communication with impeller 234 and blowerhousing chute 145. Because processed wood products are fibrous, stringyand otherwise known to “bridge off” when in a large pile, an inlet 243is created within the blower housing 222 configured to receive theprocessed wood products when the impeller 234 is actuated. As theimpeller 234 is starved for bridged off material, the flaps 187 a, 187 bmay be raised by means of the operator controlled hydraulic cylinders221. As the operable flaps 187 a, 187 b rise up, the processed woodproducts are freed and able to enter the inlet 243, come in contact withthe impeller 234, and consequently be transferred through the blowerhousing chute 145 and discharge chute 135. While a tiltable floor isdescribed herein, there may be other ways to direct the processed woodproducts toward the inlet 243 so as to break the bridge chip material.For example, the handle of a tool, like a shovel, broom or rake may beused, alternatively, in the slightly more improved form, a manuallyoperated clearing device could be fashioned. Other mechanical devicescould also be used, such as an auger, vibratory devices or othersuitable devices.

FIGS. 22-23 show an alternative embodiment to the chute transfer systemand discharge chute previously described. In this regard, the vehicle150 may include a discharge chute 400 having a chute coupling 404 forcoupling the chute 400 to the shroud 158 or blower housing chute 145similar to that previously described. In this embodiment, the dischargechute 400 may have a bifurcated configuration that defines multipleoutlets (two shown). Similar to above, as chips or grindings areproduced, they exit the shroud 158 and flow through curved chute section403. One section of the discharge chute 400, i.e., the straight chutesection 402, continues to the upper discharge outlet 401. Another chutesection, i.e., the lower curved chute section 405, continues to thelower discharge outlet 406. The desired outlet of discharge chute 400may be selected by the operator. In this regard, the discharge chute 400may include a diverter knob 408 which allows a diverter vane 409, shownin FIG. 22, to be positioned so that the processed wood products aredirected to the upper discharge outlet 401 or lower discharge outlet406. When the processed wood products are diverted to the upperdischarge outlet 401, they can be directed into the back of a truck,another non-attached collection device or simply onto the ground. Whenthe processed wood products are diverted to the lower discharge outlet406, they can be directed into the hopper 147, for example.

As seen in FIG. 23, when hopper 147 is full and it is desirable toevacuate the contents therefrom, the chute coupling 404 may be manuallydisconnected from the shroud 158 and discharge chute 400 positioned overa coupling 404 b on the blower housing chute 145. In this position,processed wood products may be evacuated from the hopper 147 asdiscussed above (i.e., via the elements of the transport supportstructure 715, including the impeller 234, blower motor 207, etc.). Moreparticularly, the processed wood products may be evacuated from thecollection hopper 147 and directed out of the upper or lower dischargeopening 401, 406 (e.g., using diverter vane 409) depending on thedesires of the operator). The ability to evacuate the processed woodproducts from the collection hopper 147 allows a tree care service todrive the vehicle 150 to the site of the tree to be maintained orremoved and when the chip collection hopper 147 is full, driven toanother location for efficient discharge of the processed wood products.

As noted above, the operator may select the desired outlet fromdischarge chute 400. In this regard, FIGS. 24-25 include cut away viewsof the diverter vane 409 positionable to direct chips through the lowercurved section 405 and out the lower discharge outlet 406, or throughsection 402 and out the upper discharge outlet 401. More particularly,FIG. 24 shows the diverter vane 409 in a generally vertical positionsuch that the flow of the processed wood products will bypass thestraight cute section 402 and enter the lower curve section 405 so as toexit from lower discharge outlet 406. Similarly, FIG. 25 shows thediverter vane 409 in a generally horizontal position such that the flowof the processed wood products will bypass the lower curve section 405,enter the straight chute section 402, and be discharged from the upperdischarge outlet 401.

In various tree removal processes in both residential and commercialapplications, some of the tree parts may be too large to chip, forexample. In these cases, the larger tree parts may be simply transportedand loaded onto a truck, etc. for removal from the work site. In someinstances, the sites may be considerably removed from a truck fortransporting the larger tree parts from the site. It would therefore bedesirable for vehicle 150 to have the capability of transporting largertree parts from the tree removal site to another site for loading onto atruck, etc. In another aspect in accordance with the invention, vehicle150 may be so configured. For example, the hopper 147 may be selectivelyremovable from vehicle 150. FIG. 26 is a side view of the vehicle 150with the hopper 147 removed. This leaves the fork and hopper support 151attached to the attachment plate 179, which is in turn attached to thesupport arms 238 of vehicle 150. In this configuration, the vehicle 150can be used to transport larger tree parts including, for example, apile of logs 500, using the fork and hopper support 151 to support logs500 on vehicle 150. Thus, vehicle 150 may provide multiple operatingmodes in a single apparatus and a tree service company may use fewerpieces of equipment for many of the tasks needed in variousapplications.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment relating tomanagement of the flow of the processed wood products exiting the shroud158 or exiting the collection hopper 147. In the previous embodiments,the chute transfer system included a discharge chute that was movablefrom a first location adjacent the shroud 158 to a second locationadjacent the blower housing chute 145 (e.g., either manually or throughvarious devices). In other words, the same chute was used to guide theprocessed wood products into the collection hopper 147 and guideprocessed wood products out of the collection hopper 147. In contrast tothese earlier embodiments, this embodiment includes a chute transfersystem 600 having two separate discharge chutes, one for guiding theprocessed wood products into collection hopper 147, and another chutefor guiding the processed wood products out of collection hopper 147. Inthis regard, chute transfer system 600 includes a curved first chute 601having one end coupled to shroud 158 and another end coupled to upperchute segment 164 such as via hinge 133. When the upper chute section164 is engaged with the curved first chute 601, the processed woodproducts stream 610 may be directed toward the collection hopper 147 andaccumulated therein, as illustrated in FIG. 27. When the upper chutesection 164 is disengaged from the curved first chute 601, the processedwood products may be directed out of the curved first chute 601 anddirectly into a chip box truck with an open back 608, as illustrated inFIG. 29. Further shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 27A, the open back 608 mayinclude at least one interior wall 609 compartmentalizing the opening sothat biomass material, such as that produced from chipping or grindingthe above grade portion of the tree, can be separated. For instance, theoperator may choose to separate clean wood from stump grindings withinthe same chip box truck. Such clean wood may include wood free fromdirt, rock, and other contaminates that may make undesirable forconsumption in a power plant furnace or other application. The interiorwall 609 may be permanently or temporarily placed. For example, the wallmay be hinged and pivotable between a first position and a secondposition. Furthermore, an interior wall 609 may be used to selectivelyclose a compartmentalized portion by closing all or part of open back608. This may aid the operator in later sorting any biomass placed insuch compartments. For instance, it may be desirable to dump orotherwise unload differing compartmentalized biomass in differinglocations. As illustrated in FIG. 28, processed wood products may beevacuated from the collection hopper 147 as described above (e.g.,impeller 234, blower motor 207, etc.) and directed through a J-shapedsecond chute 602 and exiting at the second chute opening 603. The outletstream 610 may be directed from the second chute opening 603 into a chipbox truck with an open back 608. Also, the collection hopper 147 may bemounted as illustrated in FIG. 28 via the hopper support arms 700 shownin FIG. 14 or may be mounted via the lifting arms 130 shown in FIG. 34.

FIG. 30 depicts a configuration for the feed roller assembly 905 of theapparatus 10 when it is in the chipping position as discussed above. Thedrum 16 may be proximate to the anvil surface 58 (shown in phantom) whenin the chipping position. The feed roller grip plate 201 is a componentof the feed roller 203, and is attached to a feed roller control arm 113that is restricted to movement within an arcuate slot 159. As therotation of the feed roller 203 pulls wood products, such as tree limbs,toward the drum 16, the feed roller control arm 113 pivots upward,travelling along the path defined by the arcuate slot 159, therebyaccommodating wood products of different sizes. Alternatively, the woodproducts of differing sizes may be delivered to the drum 16 along a pathother than the above mentioned arcuate slot 159. For instance, the woodproducts of different sizes may be vertically raised above the ground 14to contact the drum 16 or a portion of the apparatus may lower such thatthe feed roller control arm 113 moves vertically down with the drum 16to the wood products located below.

Feed roller assembly 905 may further be designed to accommodate themovement of the drum 16 between the chipping and grinding positions.More particularly, the feed roller assembly 905 includes feed tablehousing 903 fixed to the frame of apparatus 10 (e.g., chassis of vehicle150) and a feed housing 904 coupled to the drum 16 such that the feedhousing 904 rotates therewith. In this regard, in the chipping position,the end of feed table housing 903 may be positioned proximate feedhousing 904 so that wood products fed to feed table housing 903 may beultimately directed toward drum 16 via feed housing 904 (FIG. 30).However, as the feed housing 904 rotates with the drum 16 to the stumpgrinding position, the feed housing 904 and feed table housing 903 maybe movable relative to each other in a non-interfering manner (i.e., onedoes not interfere with the other as feed housing 904 rotates to thedownward position). This may be accomplished in part by means of asufficient gap 906 separating the end of feed table housing 903 fromfeed housing 904. Feed housing edge 901 may be defined by a generallycurved surface that corresponds to a similar curve at the end of feedtable housing 903 (not shown). In this exemplary embodiment, feedhousing 904 is able to rotate with the drum 16 downward to a grindingposition without interfering with the end of feed table housing 903.This cooperating geometry, while reflective of the exemplary embodimentis not meant to limit other complementary configurations that result ina non-interfering relationship between the two parts.

FIG. 31 includes the components of FIG. 30 showing the drum 16 in thedownward grinding position for the purpose of grinding stumps, aspreviously discussed. In this position, the support arm 106 pivots onthe first drive shaft 32, which is, in turn, supported by the interiorbushing 34. Shroud 158 substantially surrounding the drum 16 may beretracted so that the teeth 78 can engage the stump. In this position,feed housing edge 901 may be raised relative to the upper end of feedtable housing 903 when compared to the relative position of these twocomponents as shown in FIG. 30.

Additionally, the feed roller housing may have different configurations.In this regard, both the feed table housing 903 and the feed housing 904may be fixed to the frame so that they do not move with movement of thedrum 16. Alternatively, and as schematically illustrated in FIG. 32, thefeed table housing 903 and the feed housing 904 may be operativelycoupled to the drum 16 so that both move with movement of the drum 16.Thus, the feed roller assembly may have several alternativeconfigurations.

With reference now to FIGS. 33 and 34, an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus 150 is illustrated. For ease of understanding and brevity ofexplanation, like reference numerals in FIGS. 33 and 34 and in the othersucceeding figures refer to similar features in any of the other figuresin the present disclosure. The apparatus 150 in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 33 and 34 takes the form of a wood chipper vehicle150. Chipper vehicle 150 is a track-driven device propelled by a primemover in the form, in this embodiment, of a hydraulic motor or engine 26that provides enough power to the vehicle 150 such that it may moverelative to the ground. Chipper vehicle 150 includes a main portion thatcontains the hydraulic motor 26, as well as an operator platform 159that permits the operator to drive the vehicle 150 and control operationof its various components. The vehicle 150 includes a wood chippingdevice, which could for example be a controlled-feed type, as shown inthe figure, or a direct-feed type (not shown). The chipper vehicle 150is capable of performing a variety of functions, all of which arepowered by a suitably chosen power system, such as a fluid power systemor an electric power system, for example, and which may additionallytake the form of the same hydraulic motor 26 that serves as the primemover for the chipper vehicle 150. Self propelled vehicles, woodchippers and fluid power systems are well known by those of ordinaryskill in the art and are not discussed in detail herein.

The chipper vehicle 150 includes a pair of lifting arms 130, which areconnected to the main portion of the chipper vehicle 150 by a pair ofstructural arm attachment posts 901. The lifting arms 130 are nestledinto a generally U-shaped arm attachment receiving bracket 925 thatincludes a lifting arm pin receiver hole 922 that selectively receives apin 926, the engagement of which couples the lifting arms 130 to themain portion of the chipper vehicle 150. The lifting arms 130 areselectively raised and lowered, with such raising and lowering beingfacilitated in this embodiment by power from the chipper vehicle'shydraulic system through an extension of a hydraulic cylinder 951. Thelifting arms 130 are in this embodiment coupled, by means of anattachment plate 904, to a fork and hopper support assembly 151 (FIGS.37 and 38). The fork and hopper support assembly 151 can then be used tosupport and carry a chip collection hopper 147 having a ground engagingsurface 952 and a scoop edge 908 adjacent the ground engaging surface952 and positioned so as to facilitate transfer of material such as woodchips into an interior 907 of the collection hopper 147.

In use, wood pieces (e.g., tree branches) are fed into an inlet port 107of the chipper vehicle 150, and a feed roller 157 pulls the wood piecesinto a chipping drum 154 of vehicle 150. The chipping drum 154 reducesthe wood pieces to wood chips, where they are then directed through achute unit 134 into the collection hopper 147. The chute unit 134includes a base chute 133 that is coupled to an upper chute section 131through a hinge 132.

FIG. 35 illustrates the lifting arms 130 in the process of connecting tothe main portion of chipper vehicle 150. The structural arm attachmentpost 901 is mounted on the chassis of the chipper vehicle 150. The armattachment receiver bracket 925 is attached to the arm attachment post901. The shape of the receiver bracket 925 accommodates the operatingend of the arm attachment bracket 183. When the arm attachment bracket183 and the receiver bracket 925 are coupled together, the receiver pins926 are inserted through the arm pin receivers 922 and a pair of liftingarm receivers 166. Once coupled, the lifting arms 130 can pivot withinthe arm attachment bracket 183 about a pivot location 123.

Each of the distal ends of the lifting arms 130 includes a tiltableattachment base 179 (FIGS. 36, 37 and 38). The attachment base 179permits a variety of attachments to be coupled to the lifting arms 130.The fork and hopper support assembly 151 is one of those optionalapparatus that may be selectively coupled to the lifting arms 130through a pair of attachment receivers 904 that respectively receive oneof the attachment bases 179. Each pair of coupled attachment receiver904 and tiltable attachment base 179 jointly defines a pinch cleat-typehanger. Tiltability of base 179 is facilitated by a hydraulic elementthat includes one or more hydraulic supply lines 216 fluidly coupled toa hydraulic actuator 148. A quick-disconnect element 217 permits rapidcoupling and uncoupling of the supply hydraulic fluid to the actuator148. As shown in FIG. 37, to accommodate for clearance when attached tothe lifting arms 130, the hopper support 151 has been augmented withframe gap 153. The frame gap 153 permits clearance of the arcuate baseshoot 133 while in operation.

FIG. 38 also illustrates other features of the lifting arms 130.Specifically, the figure illustrates each arm 130 having a hydrauliccylinder 951 cooperating with a respective coaxial piston 171. Movementof the piston 171 within the cylinder 951 permits movement of pins 139and 170 relative to one another which, in turn, translates into tiltablemovement of the arm attachment bracket 183 supporting the tiltable base179 through a front segment of the arm 130. Moreover, to minimize damageto the ground, especially over uneven terrain, protective plates 155 maybe added to the bottom of the hopper support 151 as shown in FIG. 38A bywelding or other like connection means. These protective plates 155increase surface area in the event of ground contact and may furtherinclude a coating to aid in sliding over the surface of the ground.

FIG. 39 depicts an alternative embodiment of a chipper vehicle 150 afeaturing a set of extended lifting arms 900. The collection hopper 147is supported, in this embodiment, by a hopper support 800 such that thehopper 147 is nested under the extended lifting arms 900, rather than atthe distal ends of the lifting arms 900, as in the embodiment of FIG.33. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 39, chips on the ground orother types of shredded debris are collected in the hopper 147 andevacuated through an alternative evacuation impeller 903. The evacuationimpeller 903 is powered by a hydraulic engine or motor 950, or by someother suitably chosen power source.

In operation, chips travel along a blower passageway 902 and enter acurved chute section 403 of a chute unit 134 a. A diverter vane (notshown), housed within the chute unit 134 a, and actuatable by a diverterknob 408, directs chips into either a straight chute section 402 or alower curved section 405 of chute unit 134 a. Chips and other shreddeddebris being evacuated from the hopper 147 exit the chute unit 134 athrough an upper discharge outlet 401. FIG. 40 illustrates a variationof the apparatus 150 a, which includes a chute unit 134 b having adifferent configuration from that of chute unit 134 a of FIG. 39. Inthat embodiment, chute unit 134 b does not include a lower curvedsection 405. Like numerals in FIG. 40 refer to similar features in FIG.39.

FIG. 41 depicts an alternative embodiment of a chipper vehicle 150 b, inwhich each of a pair of lifting arms 917 is oriented opposite from theorientation of the lifting arms 130 of the embodiment of FIG. 33. Thelifting arms 917 are mounted on the side of the chipper vehicle 150 b,proximate the hopper 147, at a first end of the vehicle 150 b. Thelifting arms 917 are configured to extend over the infeed table 959 ofthe chipper device, at a second end of the vehicle 150 b opposite thefirst end.

FIGS. 42, 43, and 44 illustrate various optional attachments for any ofchipper vehicles 150, 150 a, 150 b, and various corresponding methodsfor collecting wood chips and other debris from the ground. The hopper147 can be directly connected to the tiltable attachment base 179,allowing the hopper 147 to be selectively tilted forward approximately90 degrees. When the ground engaging surface 952 of the hopper 147 is indirect contact with the ground, the chipper vehicle 150, 150 a, 150 bcan be driven forward. Loose debris such as wood chips 913 are thenscooped into the hopper interior 907 by virtue of the forward movementof the chipper vehicle 150. Once the hopper 147 is full, the hopper 147is tilted backwards through a corresponding tilting movement ofattachment base 179 so that the ground engaging surface 952 is generallyparallel to the ground. In this configuration, the wood chips 913 canthen be transported to a selected site for further disposition.

FIG. 43 illustrates another alternative method of collecting wood chips913. The chipper vehicle 150 of FIG. 33 (or alternatively the chippervehicles 150 a or 150 b of other figures) is equipped with a collectionhopper 147 having an integrated vacuum assembly 912. The integratedvacuum assembly is connected to a handheld debris tube 914A. Theoperator 914 directs the handheld debris tube 914A to a pile of woodchips 913 on the ground such that they may be drawn into the collectionhopper 147. The integrated vacuum assembly 912 is hydraulically poweredby the same hydraulic motor 26 (FIG. 31) that powers the chipper vehicle150, although it is contemplated that it could alternatively be poweredby another power source, such as a dedicated engine, for example. FIG.43 also illustrates a direction control panel 915 and a set of auxiliarycontrols 916 for all other functions of chipper vehicle 150. Thecontrols 915, 916 include a plurality of hydraulic spool valves (notshown) that allow the operator of chipper vehicle 150 to incrementallyapply a proportionate amount of hydraulic flow corresponding to thespecific task at hand, although it is contemplated that other means ofhydraulic control or other type of control may be employed instead or inaddition.

Yet another alternative method of collecting wood chips 913 isillustrated in FIG. 44. The collection hopper 147 in that figureincludes an integrated vacuum assembly 912 having a debris hose 911connected to a hopper suction bar 909 on the front end of the collectionhopper 147, proximate to the ground. Wood chips 913 enter the hoppersuction bar 909 through a receiving aperture 910 on the hopper suctionbar 909. In operation, the integrated vacuum assembly 912 pulls woodchips 913 in through the debris hose 911 and discharges the wood chips913 into a hopper interior 907 of hopper 147.

With respect to FIGS. 45-47, various other examples of optionalattachment apparatus that can be selectively coupled to the lifting arms130 of chipper vehicle 150 (or 150 a or 150 b) are illustrated. FIG. 45,for example, depicts a stump grinder attachment 918. Wood chips 913generated by the operation of the stump grinder attachment 918 are sentthrough a rearward directed chute 920 into a rear-mounted collectionhopper 119. FIGS. 46 and 47 depict a self-feeding shear arm 921 that canbe mounted to the lifting arms 130 of chipper vehicle 150 using thereceiving bracket 925 (FIG. 33), though alternative methods of mountingthe self feeding shear arm 921 can be used instead. The self-feedingshear arm 921 has a telescoping component 930 that may be selectivelyextended to thereby facilitate a greater reach for the chipper vehicle150. A set of clamps 931 hold tree limbs in place while a scissorelement 932 removes the tree limbs from the tree. FIG. 47 illustratesthe self-feeding shear arm 921 in operation. Specifically, once the treelimbs have been removed, the self-feeding shear arm 921 feeds the limbsinto the inlet port 107 of chipper vehicle 150 so that they may bereduced to wood chips.

FIGS. 48-59 illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a lifting apparatusin the form of a boom lift (or “boom”) 1200 that can be partiallydismantled while retaining full functionality to meet the needs of theoperator in a given situation. FIGS. 48 and 49, in particular,illustrate, respectively in perspective and elevation views, a primarybody 1101 of the boom 1200 having a first operating end 1103, and asecondary body 1102 having a second operating end 1104. The secondarybody 1102 includes a connection bar 1115. When the primary body 1101 iscoupled with the secondary body 1102, as illustrated in FIGS. 48-49, theconnection bar 1115 provides containment of electrical and/or mechanicalcomponents of the secondary body 1102 that communicate with the primarybody 1101.

The primary body 1101 and secondary body 1102 in these figures areillustrated coupled to one another at a hinge mount 1105 which, alongwith a hydraulic cylinder 1116, provides pivotal movement between theprimary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102. The hydraulic cylinder 1116 isselectively extendable and is coupled to the secondary body 1102 througha coupling element 1116 a. Hydraulic cylinder 1116 facilitates pivotalmovement of the secondary body 1102 during use, which in turn permitselevation of the secondary body 1102 and primary body 1101 relative to atransport truck 1300 (FIG. 51) supporting the boom 1200. Pivotalmovement of the primary body 1101 relative to the secondary body 1102,in turn, further elevates the primary body 1101, thereby permitting theboom 1200 to reach the required height.

The primary body 1101 has a telescoping member 1114 housed within theprimary body 1101. When the telescoping member 1114 is extended, theboom 1200 is able to reach even higher areas. When the primary body 1101is not extended (FIGS. 48-49), a generally U-shaped support bar 1117 ofthe secondary body 1102 provides a base on which the primary body 1101can rest. More specifically, the U-shaped configuration of the supportbar 1117 conforms to the generally cylindrical profile of the primarybody 1101.

In the illustrated views of FIGS. 48-49, the primary and secondarybodies 1101, 1102 are in a stowed, folded condition, such that theprimary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102 are generally parallel to oneanother. With continued particular reference to FIGS. 48-49, and furtherreferring to FIG. 50, coupling of the primary and secondary bodies 1101,1102 to one another further includes one or more securing pins 1106extending through respective holes 1107 in the primary and secondarybodies 1101, 1102. FIG. 51 illustrates the boom 1200, in the stowed,folded condition illustrated in FIGS. 48-49, being supported on thetransport truck 1300. As explained in further detail below, a boom mount1118 of the boom 1200 is configured to be received within a cooperatingreceiving structure of the transport truck 1300, thereby permittingoperative support of the boom 1200 by transport truck 1300.

FIGS. 52 and 53 are perspective and elevation views, respectively, ofthe boom 1200 in a decoupled condition. In this condition, the securingpins 1106 have been removed from the holes 1107 in the primary andsecondary bodies 1101, 1102 to permit selective decoupling of thesebodies from one another. In this condition, and as explained in furtherdetail below, a user is able to move the primary and secondary bodies1101, 1102 relative to one another, for example to selectively couplethe primary body 1101 to a relative small, maneuverable, secondarymachine or vehicle 1400. In operation, once the primary body 1101 iscoupled to the small machine or vehicle 1400 (such as a tree removingmachine or “TRM” or a mobile chipper), the same may be driven to anotherwise hard-to-reach location to remove tree branches, for example.

With continued reference to FIGS. 48-53, the boom 1200 includes a bucket1112, which in this exemplary embodiment defines an enclosed space inwhich the operator may stand during use of the boom 1200. The bucket1112 may, alternatively, have any other shape or construction. Whetherthe primary body 1101 is coupled to the secondary body 1102 (andtherefore to the transport truck 1300) or to the small machine orvehicle 1400, pivotal and/or translational movement (e.g., throughtelescoping member 1114) of the primary body 1101 is effective toelevate the bucket 1112, thereby permitting increased access for treeremoval and/or maintenance by allowing the operator to reach therequired height. Additionally, other attachments may be used instead ofthe scissor element 932 shown in FIG. 47. By way of example and as shownin FIG. 47A, the bucket 1112 or other cutting device used in treeremoval and/or maintenance may be so attached. Furthermore, suchattachments may be connected to a boom 1200 as shown in FIG. 48 or to atelescoping component 930 as shown in FIG. 47.

With reference to FIG. 54, the boom lift 1200 has a primary passivesafety device, generally assigned the numeral 1109, and which is definedby components on the primary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102. Theprimary passive safety device 1109 includes a magnetic lock key 1110 onthe primary body 1101 and a magnetic lock receiver 1111 on the secondarybody 1102. The primary passive safety device 1109 is engaged when theprimary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102 are coupled together (FIGS. 48,49, 51), and the boom lift 1200 is mounted on the transport truck 1300(FIG. 51). When the magnetic lock key 1110 and magnetic lock receiver1111 are engaged with one another, and the engine of the truck 1300 isrunning, the magnets in the lock key 1110 and lock receiver 1111 areenergized and therefore are held together, which in turn holds theprimary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102 coupled to one another and theirseparation prevented.

The primary body 1101 has, proximate the hinge mount 1105, a connectionplate 1113. Referring now to FIGS. 55-56, when the primary body 1101 isseparated from the secondary body 1102 (FIGS. 52-53), the primary body1101 can be selectively coupled to the small machine or vehicle 1400.Specifically, the connection plate 1113 is shaped for coupling with acooperating coupling element 1113 a of a small machine or vehicle 1400,such as a mobile chipper, a backhoe loader, a bulldozer, a crane, anexcavator, a grader, a front loader, or a tractor, for example. FIG. 56illustrates an exemplary coupling between the connection plate 1113 andthe cooperating element 1113 a of small vehicle 1400. Additionally oralternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 53, the boom 1200 may have asecondary coupling element such as a plate 1113 b, for example (shown inphantom) at one of the ends or anywhere along the length of thesecondary body 1102. This optional secondary plate 1113 b permitscoupling the entire boom 1200 (i.e., primary and secondary bodies 1101,1102) to the small vehicle 1400.

As noted above, the boom 1200 includes, at the second operating end 1104of the secondary body 1102, a boom mount 1118 that facilitates mountingof boom 1200 to the transport truck 1300 (FIG. 51) or to othermachinery. The boom mount 1118 is magnetic so as to define a secondarypassive safety device. More specifically, when the engine of thetransport truck 1300 is running, one or more magnetic elements of theboom mount 1118 are energized and remain energized until the operatormanually de-energizes the boom mount 1118. When energized, the secondarypassive safety defined by the one or more magnetic elements of mount1118 restricts movement of boom 1200, and particularly movement of thesecondary body 1102, relative to the truck 1300. This may beparticularly useful during transportation of the boom 1200, in itscoupled condition (FIGS. 48-49), in which secure mounting of boom 1200to the truck 1300 is advantageous.

As noted above, the primary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102 may beselectively decoupled. To this end, and with particular reference toFIGS. 48-49, 52, and 53, the boom lift 1200 includes a rack and pinionsystem that allows the primary body 1101 to move relative to and alongthe secondary body 1102 during such decoupling. Specifically, the rackand pinion system includes a hydraulic motor 1122 mounted onto thesecondary body 1102, and which drives a gear 1124. Gear 1124, in turn,engages a gear track 1123 that is secured (e.g., welded) to the primarybody 1101. In operation, actuation of motor 1122 results intranslational movement of the gear track 1123 and thereby translationalsliding movement of the primary body 1101 to which gear track 1123 iscoupled, relative the secondary body 1102.

This translational sliding movement is further facilitated by a set ofrollers 1120 secured to the primary body 1101 through a C-brace 1119that is welded to the primary body 1101, and which rotate on a track1121 of the secondary body 1102. This allows the primary body 1101 to beeasily moved off of the secondary body 1102 without any externalhardware. When partially moved off of the secondary body 1102, theprimary body 1101 can then be coupled to a smaller, more maneuverablemachine or vehicle 1400, such as a mobile chipper (FIGS. 55-56), forexample, or to some other machine. When coupled to the smaller machineor vehicle 1400, the smaller vehicle can then finish separating theprimary and secondary bodies 1101, 1102 using its own mechanical and/orpowered components.

With reference to FIG. 57, the boom 1200 may be transported in itscoupled, stowed and folded condition (FIGS. 48-49), by a transport truck1300 which, in turn, may tow a secondary, unpowered vehicle or trailer1500. The trailer 1500, in turn, supports an exemplary small machine orvehicle 1400, in the form, in the illustrated embodiment, of a mobilechipper. In use, the truck 1300 may be driven, on its own power, to thegeneral vicinity of a work site, thus transporting all of the equipmentnecessary for a tree-removal or tree-maintaining event. Referring now toFIG. 58, upon arrival to the general vicinity of the work site, thesmall vehicle 400 may be moved to the rear portion of the trailer 1500,as illustrated in the figure, and the primary body 1101 of boom 1200decoupled from secondary body 1102 to permit coupling of primary body101 with the small machine or vehicle 1400 through connection plate1113. Once the primary body 1101 is coupled to small vehicle 1400, thenow-loaded small vehicle 400 may be moved off the trailer 1500 and ontothe ground, as illustrated in FIG. 59. The loaded small vehicle 1400 maythen be driven, on its own power, to an otherwise hard-to-reach worksite to carry out the tree-removal or tree-maintaining event.

With reference to FIGS. 60-62, another exemplary embodiment of a liftingapparatus 1200 a is illustrated. For ease of understanding, likereference numerals in FIGS. 60-62 refer to similar features in FIGS.48-59, the description of which may be referred-to for an understandingof the features of the embodiment of FIGS. 60-62 as well. Apparatus 1200a is a segmented apparatus similar to the boom lift 1200 of FIGS. 48-59,and which is foldable into at least three segments 1201, 1202, 1203. Asillustrated in FIG. 60, when folded, the apparatus 1200 a may be suchthat its footprint substantially conforms within the perimeter of a roof1300 a of a truck 1300. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus1200 a, when folded, may be supported in the front portion 1500 a of atrailer 500 (FIG. 61) or in the rear portion 1500 b of the trailer 1500.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 60-62, the trailer 1500 istowable by the truck 1300 in ways known in the art, and also supports,in addition to the apparatus 1200 a, a relatively small, poweredsecondary vehicle 1400, in the form, in this embodiment, of a mobilechipper. With particular reference to FIG. 62, the secondary vehicle(e.g., mobile chipper) 1400 may be selectively loaded and unloadedrespectively onto and from the trailer 1500 via a ramp 1503 or othermeans such as a drop bed trailer, tilting bed trailer, dovetail traileror what is referred to as an integrated trailer wherein the road-worthywheels would be integrated with secondary vehicle (e.g., mobile chipper)1400. Moreover, the secondary vehicle mobile chipper 1400 may besupported on the trailer 1500 such that at least the discharge chute canbe rotatable by about 360 degrees, which maximizes its operability andpositioning relative not only to the apparatus 1200 a but also to adischarge chute 1706 of the secondary vehicle 1400, described in furtherdetail below. In this regard, it is contemplated that the apparatus 1200a may be used in combination with the wood chipping and storing featuresof the exemplary secondary vehicle (e.g., mobile chipper) 1400 whilesupported on the trailer 1500 in a variety of available relativeorientations or while being off of the trailer 1500.

With continued reference to FIGS. 60-62, the secondary vehicle 1400includes various features, as explained above. Secondary vehicle 1400includes, for example, a chipping unit 1700 that receives wood piecesfrom a feed roller assembly 1702 and which directs the resulting woodchips to a collection hopper 1704 or, when used in the trailer-basedconfiguration, chips can be directed into the back of truck 1300 througha discharge chute 1706. In the embodiment of FIG. 61, the apparatus 1200a is supported on trailer 1500 and coupled to the secondary vehicle 1400through connection plate 1113. The apparatus 1200 a and secondaryvehicle 1400 are oriented generally end-to-end in this exemplaryarrangement. In this embodiment, moreover, the apparatus 1200 a issupported on trailer 1500 at a location between the truck 1300 and thesecondary vehicle 1400. Notably, the positions and orientations of theapparatus 1200 a and secondary vehicle 1400 relative to one another aresuch that the flow of wood chips from the discharge chute 1706 to truck1300 is substantially unobstructed. While not shown, the discharge chute1706 may alternatively be repositioned to a greater altitude relative tothe rest of the secondary vehicle 1400, so as to further prevent anyobstruction with the flow of wood chips described above. It also may bedesirable to extend the length of chute 1706 or attach another chute orother device (not shown) to chute 1706 such that the distance betweenthe discharge end of chute 1706 and the chip receiving end at the backof truck 1300 is minimized.

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 61 permits the secondary vehicle1400 to be used for its intended chipping purpose while being supportedon the trailer 1500 and, particularly, while sharing the trailer 1500with the apparatus 1200 a that is also supported thereon. Further, theillustrated relative positions and orientations of the apparatus 1200 aand secondary vehicle 1400 permit the secondary vehicle 1400 andapparatus 1200 a to move, on its own power and as a stand-aloneassembly, to a location that may be inaccessible by the truck 1300, withsuch assembly having tree reaching and tree chipping (and chip storage)capabilities.

In FIG. 62, a different arrangement is illustrated, with the secondaryvehicle 1400 being oriented orthogonal to the apparatus 1200 a. In thisarrangement, accordingly, the feed roller assembly 1702 receives wood tobe chipped from a location that is laterally adjacent the trailer 1500,rather than adjacent the distal end of the trailer 1500, as in thearrangement of FIG. 61. In the arrangement of FIG. 62, moreover, theapparatus 1200 a is still supported on the trailer 1500, as is thesecondary vehicle 1400, and their relative positions and orientationsare also configured to permit the unobstructed flow of wood chips fromthe discharge chute 1706 to the bed of truck 1300 or the hopper 1704.More specifically, in this arrangement, the connection plate 1113 islocated at the rear, distal end of the trailer 1500, and the secondaryvehicle 1400 and apparatus 1200 a, though commonly supported on trailer1500, are not coupled to one another.

With reference to FIG. 63, in which like reference numerals refer tosimilar features in the preceding figures, the figure illustrates anauxiliary or intermediate device 2501 that may be selectively coupled tothe primary body 1101 and to a relatively small, powered secondaryvehicle 1400 which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a mobilechipper. The intermediate device 2501, accordingly, provides an indirectcoupling or connection between the primary body 1101 and the secondaryvehicle 1400. The secondary vehicle 1400 includes a pair of forks 11501f and a back frame support 2501 t. The intermediate device 2501 issupported by the forks 2501 f and secured to them via a base 2503 whichis in turn secured to the forks 2501 f through respective pins 2505. Theintermediate device 2501 includes a main body in the form, in theillustrated embodiment, of a vertically-extending tubular member 2511.

Tubular member 2511 is attached to base 2503 and includes top and bottomportions 2511 a and 2511 b that are rotatable relative to one anotherabout a longitudinal, vertical axis 2512 of the tubular member 2511. Thetop portion 2511 a may rotate, for example, as much as 360 degreesrelative to the bottom portion 2511 b. Coupled to the tubular member2511 are outriggers 2502, which are used to stabilize the device 2501.It would be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat these outriggers 2502 could be coupled to the device 2501 in any ofa number of available manners and it is further understood that one ormore of the outriggers 2502 may alternatively or additionally be coupledto the secondary vehicle 1400. It will also be understood that once theintermediate device 2501 is appropriately positioned with respect to awork area, the support provided by the secondary vehicle 1400 may beremoved from the intermediate device 2501. In such a case, theintermediate device 2501 may still receive operating power from thesecondary vehicle 1400, but is not otherwise supported thereby. It willalso be appreciated that the intermediate device 2501 may provide itsown power, and not necessarily rely on the secondary vehicle 1400 forpower.

The intermediate device 2501 also includes a pair of ground engagingelements taking the form, in the illustrated embodiment, of pyramidaltracks 2506. It is contemplated, however, that the device 2501 mayadditionally or alternatively include ground engaging elements takingother forms, such as wheels or skid plates, for example, to serve thefunction of bearing the load of the primary body 1101 when coupled tothe secondary vehicle 1400. While the embodiment of FIG. 63 illustratesan indirect coupling of the primary body 1101 to the secondary vehicle1400 (e.g., a mobile chipper) through the intermediate device 2501, thisis intended to be exemplary rather than limiting, insofar as other typesof indirect coupling components and/or methods are contemplated.Further, as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS.48-59, the primary body 1101 may instead be directly coupled to asecondary vehicle 1400 through a coupling element 1113 b of the vehicle1400, which in this embodiment takes the form of a plate.

In operation, the primary body 1101 is coupled to the tubular member2511 through a slide-on plate 2516 that is supported by the top portion2511 a of tubular member 2511. Rotation of the top portion 2511 aproduces a corresponding rotational movement of the primary body 1101pivoted about the location of coupling with plate 2516. Moreover,vertical movement of the forks 2501 f results in a correspondingvertical movement of the primary body 1101. Any other movement of thesecondary vehicle 1400 (laterally or in the forward/backward direction),in turn, produces a corresponding movement of the primary body 1101 inthe direction of movement of the secondary vehicle 1400. Any momentsproduced by the weight of the primary body 1101 is counteracted by theoutriggers 2502 and/or the pyramidal tracks 2506, by transferring suchmoments to the ground.

FIG. 63A shows the intermediate device 2501 of FIG. 63 including avibratory mechanism 2507. The vibratory mechanism 2507 causes vibrationat the ground engaging portion of the intermediate device 2501 in orderto reduce the coefficient of friction between the intermediate device2501 and the ground 14, making it easier to move the intermediate device2501. As shown in FIG. 63A, the vibratory mechanism 2507 may be placedwithin a pressure distributing glide member 2506, which in theembodiment shown is a pyramidal track, and which can have tracksegments, as are well known in the art. The pressure distributing glidemember 2506 can also be, or include, a plate or any other appropriatestructure that provides a gliding surface for reducing the coefficientof friction and increasing the multi-directional maneuverability of theintermediate device 2501. Additionally, the pressure distributing glidemember 2506 may include a low friction coating or additional aspect inorder to reduce the coefficient of friction, such as a plate having athermopolymer with lubrous properties, such as UHMW polyethylene.Furthermore, vibratory mechanism 2507 may be used in conjunction withother parts where there is a desire to reduce the coefficient offriction with the ground 14. For instance, protective plates 155, asshown in FIG. 38A, may be included on hopper support 151 and mayadditionally include vibration mechanism 2507. By way of furtherexamples, vibratory mechanism 2507 may be included in lifting arms 130and universal attachment 216 as shown in FIG. 38A or resealable coupling1113 as shown in FIG. 48. In a further example, the lifting apparatus1200 a may include the vibration mechanism 2507 and may be attached tothe secondary vehicle 1400. In these arrangements, a pressuredistributing glide member, such as pressure distributing glide member2506, in conjunction with the vibration mechanism 2507 facilitates themulti-directional maneuverability of the devices when coupled together.

As will be appreciated from the above description, the intermediatedevice 2501 can be attached to a primary body 1101 and the intermediatedevice can be caused to vibrate, allowing the primary body 1101 to bemoved into position. Once positioned, the intermediate device 2501 canbe used in conjunction with, or separate from, the secondary vehicle1400, as previously described.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofvarious embodiments and while these embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects istherefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatusand method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for handling wood products,comprising: a frame configured to be supported at least in part by aground surface; an anvil surface supported by the frame above a groundsurface; and a rotatable drum carried by the frame and configured for(1) operating with the anvil surface in a first mode for chipping orgrinding loose tree parts, and for (2) operating in a second mode forgrinding a stump in the ground, the rotatable drum being selectivelymovable with respect to at least one of the ground surface or the framebetween a first position wherein the drum is positioned away from theground so the ground does not obstruct rotation of the drum andproximate to the anvil surface to cooperate with the anvil surface tochip or grind the loose tree parts in the first mode, and a secondposition wherein the drum is positioned adjacent the ground to engage astump and grind the stump in the second mode; a feed roller assemblypositioned upstream of the rotatable drum and proximate the anvilsurface and including a feed roller housing and a feed roller in thehousing, the feed roller configured to rotatably engage loose tree partsreceived by the housing and move the loose tree parts through thehousing and toward the drum and anvil surface in the first mode forchipping the loose tree parts; and a shroud configured to encase atleast a portion of the drum, the shroud including a first shroud sectionselectively moveable to expose a first portion of the drum in the firstmode and expose a second portion of the drum different from the firstportion in the second mode.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: an engine operatively coupled to the drum and configured torotate the drum in at least a first direction.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, further comprising: an engagement mechanism operatively coupled withthe drum and configured to selectively rotate the drum using the engine.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drum is movable with respect tothe frame, the apparatus further comprising: at least one pivot armhaving one end pivotally coupled with the frame and a second end coupledwith the drum, wherein rotation of the pivot arm moves the drum betweenthe first and second positions.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedrum includes at least one blade adapted to cooperate with the anvilsurface to chip the loose tree parts when the drum is in the firstposition.
 6. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: an attachmentmember adapted to be removably coupled to the drum and including aplurality of teeth different from the at least one blade and configuredfor grinding the stump when the drum is in the second position.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the teeth ispositioned radially outward of the at least one blade when theattachment member is coupled to the drum.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the drum includes a plurality of teeth adapted to grind one ofthe loose tree parts or the stump.
 9. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: an attachment member adapted to be removably coupled to thedrum and including at least one blade different from the plurality ofteeth and configured to cooperate with the anvil surface to chip theloose tree parts when the drum is in the first position.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one blade is positionedradially outward of the teeth when the attachment member is coupled tothe drum.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a feedroller control arm coupled to the feed roller and configured to guidethe movement of the feed roller.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe feed roller housing includes a first feed chute, and a second feedhousing adjacent the first feed chute and adjacent the drum.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the first feed chute and the second feedhousing are coupled to the frame so as not to move with movement of thedrum.
 14. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second feed housing ismovable relative to the first feed chute such that the first feed chutedoes not interfere with the movement of the second feed housing.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the first feed chute is coupled to theframe and the second feed housing moves with movement of the drum. 16.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a gap is formed between the firstfeed chute and the second feed housing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the first feed chute has a first confronting end with a firstshape and the second feed housing has a second confronting end with asecond shape, wherein the first and second shapes correspond to eachother.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first feed chute andthe second feed housing move with movement of the drum.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shroud section is furtherselectively moveable to cover the first portion and the second portionin a non-operating mode.